Ranger Fatally Falls into Crevasse While Patrolling Denali
A mountaineering ranger died after falling into a crevasse at Denali National Park during a patrol. Officials confirmed the incident occurred near the park's 14,000-foot camp.
A mountaineering ranger lost her life while on patrol in Denali National Park on Thursday. According to officials, Robin Pendery fell into a crevasse near the 14,000-foot camp along the West Buttress route around 2 p.m. Although National Park Service personnel attempted a rescue, further details on the incident were not disclosed.
Denali Superintendent Brooke Merrell expressed condolences, stating, "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."
Pendery, who was from Enumclaw, Washington, joined Denali’s mountaineering staff in 2024, contributing to climber safety and emergency response initiatives. She was also known for her work as a guide with Alpine Ascents International since 2015. Operations Director Jonathon Spitzer remarked on her impact, saying, "Robin was an amazing person. We were so fortunate that she was a guide here."
This incident marks the fifth death reported on Denali this year.