Authorities said the cause of the fall is believed to be anchor failure while the climbers rappelled a steep gulley.

Three rock climbers fell to their deaths Sunday in Washington state, authorities said. Investigators believe their equipment failed as they were descending a ravine.

Three climbers died in a fall while descending a steep gulley in an area near North Early Winters Spire in Washington state's North Cascades National Park, the Okanogan County Sheriff's Office said. The incident took place on Sunday,