Esteemed forest ranger dies after 1,000-foot-fall from peak, partner survives

A forest ranger known for her oft-critical roles in complicated and dangerous search and rescue missions, as well as for increasing accessibility in the outdoor space, has died following a 1,000-foot climbing fall in an Alaskan national park on April 25.

Robbi Mecus, 52 and of Keene Valley, New York, was climbing with a 30-year-old Californian woman on Denali National Park's 8,400-foot Mount Johnson when the fall occurred. The two were attempting a route known as 'the Escalator,' which stretches up a steep 5,000 feet on a mix of rock, ice, and snow when the fall occurred. The women were roped at the time of the accident.

Miraculously, Mecus' climbing partner, later identified as Melissa Orzechowski by local media survived the fall. Orzechowski did sustain serious injuries.

The fall was witnessed by another climbing party on the peak, who notified park rangers before descending to the fallen duo. They confirmed Mecus' death and then stayed to help tend to the injuries of Orzechowski while keeping her warm throughout the night.

While the report of the fall was received during the evening of April 25, it wouldn't be until the morning of April 26 that the injured climber could be rescued. She was taken to Talkeetna and then flown to Anchorage for advanced care.

Mecus' body was recovered the following morning, on April 27.

Alaska Public Radio reports that Mecus' most recent crucial search and rescue effort involved finding a missing frostbitten hiker amid an intense Adirondecks snowstorm near the end of March. Mecus has also been commended for her work in "advancing diversity, inclusion, and LGBTQ belonging throughout the [Forest Service] agency."

More information about this tragic accident can be found here.