"A consummate professional."
Incident
Robin Pendery, a seasonal mountaineering ranger at Denali National Park and Preserve, died on Thursday after falling into a crevasse on Mount McKinley. The incident occurred near the 14,000 Foot Camp, where she was assigned to climbing patrol. Rescue efforts were unsuccessful.
Details
The National Park Service reported that Pendery was one of two people in charge of the 14,000 Foot Camp, which is accessible by helicopter. At the time of the incident, weather conditions included temperatures around 67°F, cloudy skies, and winds of 5 mph. There was ample snow coverage, with 2 feet of snow having fallen the previous weekend at the 11,200-foot level.
Personnel Background
Pendery, a native of Enumclaw, Washington, had been a Denali park mountaineering staff member since 2024. Her role encompassed climber safety, emergency response, and mountaineering operations. She also served as a nurse, providing medical response on the mountain. Prior to her work with the Park Service, she was employed by Alpine Ascents International as a guide in Washington and Alaska.
Response
The National Park Service is investigating the cause of the fall. Brooke Merrell, superintendent of Denali National Park and Preserve, expressed mourning for the loss of "a colleague and friend." Gordon Janow of Alpine Ascents described Pendery as "a consummate professional."