National Park ranger dies after falling into crevasse on North America's highest peak
A National Park Service ranger, Robin Pendery, died after falling into a crevasse while on climbing patrol at Mount McKinley in Alaska on June 5, 2024. The incident occurred near the mountain's 14,000-foot camp, with rescue efforts launched immediately but failing to save Pendery, who had joined Denali’s mountaineering staff earlier this year.
A National Park Service ranger died after falling into a crevasse while conducting a climbing patrol on Mount McKinley, North America’s highest peak, the agency announced. The ranger, Robin Pendery of Enumclaw, Washington, was part of Denali National Park and Preserve’s seasonal mountaineering team. Pendery fell into the crevasse near the mountain’s 14,000-foot camp on June 5 around 2 p.m., triggering an immediate rescue response that proved unsuccessful. Pendery had joined Denali’s mountaineering staff in 2024 and played a critical role in climber safety, emergency response operations, and patrols on the 20,310-foot mountain. Known for its extreme weather and glacier-covered slopes, Denali attracts hundreds of climbers annually, with crevasses posing a major hazard. Superintendent Brooke Merrell called Pendery a ‘valued colleague, friend, and teammate,’ expressing grief over the loss. The National Park Service confirmed the death remains under investigation. Pendery’s family and loved ones are being supported during this difficult time. Mount McKinley, also called Denali, is renowned for its rugged terrain and life-threatening conditions, including hidden crevasses that threaten climbers and rescue personnel alike.
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