Robbi Mecus, a noted climbing enthusiast and forest ranger from Keene Valley, New York, died after falling 1,000 feet in Alaska’s Denali National Park and Preserve. Mecus was known for being an outspoken advocate for expanding the presence of transgender people in alpine climbing. She co-founded the Queer Ice Fest in the Adirondack Mountains in 2022 and was a well-respected member of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation during her 25-year career. Her body was recovered after a challenging recovery effort on Mount Johnson, where her climbing partner also fell but survived with serious injuries.
The survivor, a 30-year-old woman from California, was rescued by rangers from the steep, technical climb on Mt. Johnson’s southeast face and flown to an Anchorage hospital for treatment. The accident occurred as the pair was ascending a 5,000-foot route called “the Escalator” when they fell 1,000 feet. The route is composed of ice, rock, and snow, making it a perilous climb favored by experienced climbers. Fellow climbers called for help, built a snow cave to preserve the survivor’s temperature, and rescuers reached the location the following morning.
Mecus was known for her climbing prowess and had previously been credited multiple times with rescuing others in Upstate New York mountains. In a 2019 interview for the New York City Trans Oral History Project, she spoke about her transition as a transgender woman and her experience working as a ranger in a typically “hyper-macho” environment. Despite her initial concerns, Mecus was pleasantly surprised by the overwhelmingly positive response from her colleagues after coming out, citing it as a lesson learned from the experience.
The American Alpine Club reported that Mount Johnson’s route can take up to 24 hours to summit and return to base, with some climbers opting for night climbing to avoid wet or slushy conditions. The challenging terrain is popular among seasoned climbers who appreciate the technical difficulties it presents. Mecus’s dedication to climbing and commitment to diversity and inclusion in the outdoor community were reflected in her advocacy work and involvement in events like the Queer Ice Fest.
Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation praised Mecus’s dedication to protecting the environment and advancing diversity, inclusion, and LGBTQ belonging throughout the agency. Her impact on the climbing community and her commitment to advocacy for transgender representation in outdoor sports were evident in the tributes paid to her after her tragic passing in Denali National Park. Mecus’s legacy as a skilled climber and passionate advocate for diversity in alpine climbing will continue to inspire others in the outdoor community.
