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, May 11, at around 11:30 a.m. and involved a party of four climbers.