Robin Pendery, a 33-year-old Enumclaw native, emergency nurse, and highly experienced mountaineer, has died after falling into a crevasse while working as a seasonal mountaineering ranger with the National Park Service on Denali in Alaska. She was 14,000 feet up the 20,310-foot mountain when the accident occurred near Foot Camp on 4 June.
Pendery was deeply embedded in the Pacific Northwest outdoor and safety community. In addition to her work as a climbing ranger, she served as an emergency nurse in Seattle and as a professional observer for the Northwest Avalanche Centre. She was also a guide for Alpine Ascents International and a member of the Crystal Mountain avalanche forecasting programme, where she had previously worked as a ski patroller.
Her climbing resume reflected years of serious, technical work in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Her guided ascents included multiple routes on Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, Mount Hood, and Mount St. Helens, as well as the Torment-Forbidden Traverse and routes on Forbidden Peak, Eldorado, and Sahale. She held a Wilderness First Responder certification, AIARE Pro Level II avalanche certification, and had completed AMGA Rock Guide coursework and NOLS Risk Management Training.
The Northwest Avalanche Centre was among the first to publicly mourn her loss. “Robin has been an integral part of our community for years, working as a professional observer at NWAC, a member of the Crystal Mountain avalanche forecasting program, and a guide for Alpine Ascents International,” NWAC said in a statement. “We want to extend our deepest sympathies to Robin’s family, friends, and community.”
Crystal Mountain resort described her as a beloved member of the Pacific Northwest mountain community. “Our heart goes out to her family, friends, fellow patrollers and all those whose lives she touched,” the resort said.
National Park Service Denali Superintendent Brooke Merrell spoke to the loss felt across the ranger community. “We are heartbroken by the loss of a member of our Denali family,” Merrell said. “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.”
One of Pendery’s most recent Instagram posts showed her skiing down Mount Rainier, a fitting final image from someone who gave so much of her life to the mountains she loved.
