A ranger in Alaska died after falling into a crevasse on North America’s tallest mountain, the National Park Service says. Robin Pendery of Enumclaw, Washington, was a seasonal mountaineering ranger assigned to Denali National Park and Preserve, per the AP. She fell on Thursday while on climbing patrol on Mount McKinley, dying despite immediate rescue efforts, the park service said.
The death is under investigation. It comes only a week after three climbers from a Latvian mountaineering expedition died after falling near a treacherous pass on McKinley. A fourth climber was rescued. They were part of a seven-person team traversing a route known for its exposed sections, where many climbers have died or been injured over the years.
McKinley stands at about 20,310 feet, and Pendery fell near what’s known as the 14,000-foot camp. “Our mountaineering rangers dedicate themselves to serving visitors and helping others in one of the most challenging environments in the world,” Denali Superintendent Brooke Merrell said in a statement on Friday. “Today, we mourn the loss of a valued colleague, friend, and teammate.”
