Columbia Falls teen dies in apparent fall from Glacier Park's Mount Brown

A Columbia Falls teen died on Mount Brown in a climbing accident June 7 in Glacier National Park.

At approximately 3 p.m. park dispatch received a missing person notification from a concerned friend who lost contact with his climbing partner, 19-year-old Winslow Nichols. The two men planned to hike and climb Mount Brown together and became separated.

The climbing partner called 911.

Park rangers launched a search and located a vehicle at Lake McDonald Lodge matching the description provided by the climbing partner. 

Glacier National Park ground crews searched the nearby area, and Two Bear Air performed an air search. Around 7 p.m. the same day, Two Bear Air found Nichols deceased on Mount Brown and recovered his body. 

The exact circumstances leading to Nichols’ death are unknown, however rangers suspect he fell while climbing, park officials said in a release. No foul play is suspected. The death remains under investigation by Glacier National Park rangers.  

Mount Brown is approximately 8,500 feet in elevation with spring conditions at the top with mixed snow and rocks.  It is accessible by trail from the Going-to-the-Sun Road, but the upper reaches this time of year would have deep snow.

Nichols was an accomplished athlete and skier and student at Columbia Falls High School. He graduated in 2021 from Columbia Falls and then attended U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School. He finished this spring and was slated to join the U.S. Military Academy at West Point later this month with the Class of 2026.

“We are heartbroken to learn of Winslow’s passing. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to his family and fellow classmates,” said USMAPS Commandant Col. Ted L. Stokes Jr. “He was an outstanding squad leader, the heart of the Sandhurst team, an avid outdoorsman, and was always willing to help a battle buddy in need. His energy and zest for life will be sorely missed.”