Mount McKinley, or Denali, as seen from Talkeetna, Alaska. Photograph: Al Grillo/AP
A park ranger in Alaska died after falling into a crevasse on North America's tallest mountain, the US National Park Service said.
Details of the Incident
Robin Pendery, of Enumclaw, Washington, fell on Thursday while on climbing patrol on the mountain known locally as Denali. She died despite immediate rescue efforts, the park service stated on Friday.
Pendery was a seasonal mountaineering ranger assigned to the Denali National Park and Preserve. The death is under investigation.
Recent Similar Tragedy
This incident comes only a week after three climbers from a Latvian mountaineering expedition died after falling near a treacherous pass on Denali, which the US government has referred to at various points as Mount McKinley, including during the second Trump administration. A fourth climber from that expedition was rescued. They were part of a seven-person team traversing a route known for its exposed sections, where many climbers have died or been injured over the years.
Mountain and Fall Location
The mountain stands at about 20,310 feet (6,190 meters) above sea level. Pendery fell near a camp at 14,000 feet (4,328 meters).
Statement from Denali Superintendent
“Our mountaineering rangers dedicate themselves to serving visitors and helping others in one of the most challenging environments in the world,” Denali Superintendent Brooke Merrell said in a statement on Friday. “Today, we mourn the loss of a valued colleague, friend and teammate.”
The park service continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fall.
