In brief
The Denali National Park and Preserve mourns the loss of ranger Robin Pendery, who perished falling into a crevasse while on patrol on North America's tallest mountain. Investigation is underway as previous climbers faced similar dangers.
Denali National Park & Preserve, Alaska – A dedicated ranger, Robin Pendery of Enumclaw, Washington, died after falling into a crevasse on North America's tallest peak, the National Park Service reports.
Pendery was a seasonal mountaineering ranger assigned to Denali, and her fall occurred Thursday during a climbing patrol on Mount McKinley. Despite immediate rescue efforts, her life was lost.
The incident is still under investigation and follows the tragedy of three climbers from a Latvian mountaineering expedition who died after a fall near a treacherous pass on McKinley earlier this month. An additional climber was rescued from the same route, known for its exposed and dangerous sections.
Mount McKinley, 20,310 feet (6,190 m) high, features a 14,000‑foot (4,328 m) camp where Pendery fell.
Denali Superintendent Brooke Merrell said, “Our mountaineering rangers dedicate themselves to serving visitors and helping others in one of the most challenging environments in the world. Today, we mourn the loss of a valued colleague, friend and teammate.”
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