Seasonal Mountaineering Ranger Dies After Falling Into Crevasse on Denali

A seasonal mountaineering ranger died after falling into a crevasse on Mount McKinley, the National Park Service said. Robin Pendery of Enumclaw, Washington, fell Thursday while on climbing patrol near the 14,000-foot camp and died despite immediate rescue efforts. The death is under investigation.

Pendery joined the Denali mountaineering staff in 2024. She helped support climber safety, emergency response and mountaineering operations at Denali National Park and Preserve, the park service said. The incident occurred one week after three climbers from a Latvian mountaineering expedition died after falling near a treacherous pass on the mountain.

A fourth climber from the seven-person team was rescued. The route is known for its exposed sections, where many climbers have died or been injured over the years. In June 2025, a climber died after falling 3,000 feet while ascending the West Buttress climbing route on Mount McKinley, the park service has said.

McKinley, also known as Denali, stands at about 20,310 feet. Denali National Park draws roughly 600,000 visitors each year, primarily during late May to early September, according to the park service. "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 Friday.