Climber dies after falling on peak in Alaska

Denali National Park

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — One person has died and another was seriously injured after falling while climbing Mt. Johnson in Denali National Park Thursday night, officials say.

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Denali National Park and Preserve said that Robbi Mecus, 52, of Keene Valley, New York, died after falling about 1,000 feet while climbing an 8,400-foot peak Thursday evening.

Mecus’ body was recovered Saturday morning, the National Park Service said. Her cause of death was from injuries she got in the fall.

A second climber, a 30-year-old woman from California, also fell in the incident, the National Park Service said. The woman, who suffered serious injuries, was rescued Friday morning by National Park Service mountaineering rangers. She was transported to a hospital by air ambulance.

Park officials described the route to be a mix of “steep rock, ice and snow,” when the two women fell, according to KTUU.

The two climbers were roped at the time of the incident, the news outlet reported.

“We are grateful for the rescue efforts of Denali mountaineering rangers and the two good Samaritans on Mt. Johnson who helped save a fellow climber’s life,” Denali National Park Superintendent Brook Merrell said, in a statement. “We extend our thoughts and condolences to the friends and family of Robbi Mecus.”

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