A horrifying tragedy has struck as a seasonal National Park Service mountaineering ranger died Thursday afternoon after falling into a crevasse on Mount McKinley
The National Park Service (NPS) has issued a statement identifying the ranger who died as Robin Pendery, of Enumclaw, Washington.
According to agency officials, Pendery was on climbing patrol when she suffered a fall close to Mount McKinley’s 14,000-foot camp at around 2 p.m. local time.
According to a recent park update, Robin Pendery was helping run the camp’s operations alongside another ranger.
“The ranger was identified as Robin Pendery of Enumclaw, Wash.; a seasonal mountaineering ranger assigned to Denali National Park and Preserve. Pendery first joined the Denali mountaineering staff in 2024, supporting climber safety, emergency response, and mountaineering operations on North America’s highest peak,” the statement read.
“National Park Service personnel responded immediately to the incident. Despite rescue efforts, the employee did not survive. The incident is under investigation, and additional details are not available at this time.”
In a statement, Superintendent Brooke Merrell said they are “heartbroken by the loss of a member of our Denali family,”
National Park Service ranger dies after falling into a crevasse on Mount McKinley
“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. Our thoughts are with Robin’s family and loved ones.”
The NPS shared that additional information will be released when it becomes “available and appropriate to share.”
Pendery had been working as a seasonal mountaineering ranger at Denali National Park and Preserve since 2024. She worked mostly with emergency response, climber safety, and high-altitude operations. Just last week, three Latvian climbers died at Mount McKinley, also known as Denali.
130 people have died on the mountain
The mountain, with its peak at 20,310 feet above sea level, is considered one of the most challenging climbs in North America.
Around 1,000 climbers attempt to summit the mountain each year; however, fewer than half made it to the top last year. A total of 130 people have died on the mountain.
Rest in peace, Robin Pendery. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family.
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