A seasonal mountaineering ranger with the National Park Service died Thursday after falling into a crevasse while on climbing patrol on Denali, North America's tallest mountain. Robin Pendery, stationed at Denali National Park and Preserve, fell near a camp at 14,000 feet elevation. Despite immediate rescue efforts, she could not be saved.
Pendery was from Enumclaw, Washington. The circumstances of her death are under investigation by park officials.
The fatal accident occurred just one week after a separate mountaineering tragedy on the same peak. Three climbers from a Latvian expedition fell near a treacherous mountain pass on Denali, while a fourth member of their seven-person team was rescued. That group had been traversing a notoriously exposed route where climbers routinely face life-threatening hazards.
Denali, which stands roughly 20,310 feet above sea level, has claimed numerous lives over the decades. The mountain's extreme altitude, unpredictable weather, and technical climbing terrain make it one of North America's most dangerous peaks.
Denali National Park Superintendent Brooke Merrell released a statement acknowledging Pendery's commitment to her work. "Our mountaineering rangers dedicate themselves to serving visitors and helping others in one of the most challenging environments in the world," Merrell said. "Today, we mourn the loss of a valued colleague, friend and teammate."
Author James Rodriguez: "Two tragedies in seven days on the same mountain is a brutal reminder that no amount of training or experience makes Denali forgiving."
Comments