A National Park Service mountaineering ranger died on Thursday after falling into a crevasse on North America’s tallest mountain. Robin Pendery, a seasonal ranger from Enumclaw, Washington, was on climbing patrol on Mount McKinley, also known as Denali, when the accident occurred. Despite immediate rescue efforts, Pendery died near the 14,000-foot camp.
The death is currently under investigation. This incident comes only a week after three climbers from a Latvian mountaineering expedition died after falling near a treacherous pass on the mountain. A fourth climber from that seven-person team was rescued. The route they were traversing is known for exposed sections where many climbers have died or been injured over the years.
Mount McKinley, federally designated as Denali, stands at approximately 20,310 feet. Denali Superintendent Brooke Merrell stated that mountaineering rangers dedicate themselves to serving visitors in one of the most challenging environments in the world, adding that the park mourns the loss of a valued colleague, friend, and teammate.