By SUZANNE DOWNING
June 5, 2026 – A National Park Service mountaineering ranger died Thursday afternoon after falling into a crevasse near the 14,000-foot camp on Mount McKinley, marking another tragedy during a climbing season that has already claimed multiple lives on North America’s highest peak.
The ranger was identified as Robin Pendery of Enumclaw, Washington, a seasonal mountaineering ranger assigned to Denali National Park and Preserve. Pendery joined the Denali mountaineering staff in 2024 and was involved in climber safety, emergency response, and mountaineering operations on the mountain.
According to the National Park Service, Pendery fell into a crevasse around 2 pm Thursday while on a climbing patrol near the heavily used 14,000-foot camp. Park personnel responded immediately, but despite rescue efforts, she did not survive.
The incident remains under investigation.
“We are heartbroken by the loss of a member of our Denali family,” said Superintendent Brooke Merrell. “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.”
Crevasses, avalanches, severe weather, altitude sickness, and falls are constant risks on McKinley, which rises to 20,310 feet above sea level.
Pendery’s death comes just days after another deadly accident high on the mountain involving members of a Latvian climbing expedition.
In late May, four climbers from a seven-member Latvian team fell while traversing a steep section of the West Buttress route known as the Autobahn near Denali Pass at roughly 18,000 feet. Three climbers—Inese Pučeka, Vija Olte, and Renārs Kunigs-Salaks—were killed in the fall. A fourth climber survived but suffered serious injuries and was evacuated by helicopter.
The Autobahn is one of the more exposed and dangerous sections of the standard West Buttress route. Climbers traverse a steep, icy slope where a slip can lead to a catastrophic fall of hundreds or even thousands of feet.
Mount McKinley has long been regarded as one of the world’s most challenging major peaks. Unlike many mountains of similar elevation, its northern latitude and extreme weather create conditions comparable to much higher peaks elsewhere in the world.
More than 130 climbers and mountaineers have died on the mountain since records began, with falls accounting for many fatalities. The West Buttress route, while considered the standard climbing route, still demands technical skill, judgment, and favorable weather.
