Two people – a hiker in Oregon and a climber in Alaska – are dead this week after falling to their deaths while visiting US parks, according officials.

A search began when rangers said they were contacted on Sunday by "a concerned family member" who had not heard from the climber in several days.

A solo climber on the West Buttress route on Mount Denali died in a fall in Alaska after failing to keep in contact with family, rangers say. Photo from National Park Service A solo climber died in a fall on Mount Denali after not checking in with family,