Identity of Climber who Died in Alaska National Park Revealed as Prominent New York Forest Ranger

Robbi Mecus, a 52-year-old climbing enthusiast and forest ranger from Keene Valley, New York, died in a fall of 1,000 feet in Alaska’s Denali National Park and Preserve. Mecus was a transgender advocate and co-founded the Queer Ice Fest in her hometown. During her 25-year career with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, she promoted diversity and inclusion. Her climbing partner, a 30-year-old woman from California, survived with serious injuries. The accident occurred on Mt. Johnson’s “the Escalator” route. Mecus was known for her rescues in Upstate New York and emphasized the importance of visibility and fighting for those without privilege.

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