Robbi Mecus

Thursday April 25th, 2024 we lost a pillar of the Northeast climbing community during a fall on Mt. Johnson in Denali NP. Robbi's permanent impact can be seen in those she mentored, inspired, and rescued. Robbi was a ranger at the Adirondack National Park and active in the Adirondack and Gunks community, and of course a respected local climber.

I'd like to share fond memories of Robbi as a ranger who was also part of the climbing community and up for a "hello" hug even when in her law enforcement ranger uniform with sidearm.

Locals will have experienced bumping into Robbi all over the park - climbing at Lock Ness, writing tickets to post-holing hikers, or giving her time to local climbing festivals.

Robbi was also quick to reach out to new climbers and offer support and mentorship. When my girlfriend reached out to the community for mentorship as a new climber, Robbi stepped up, followed through, and gave her time to help teach a newer climber one-on-one. I learned a few things climbing with Robbie - 1) Carry more aliens 2) Don't run it out so much 3) Call your friends for a "hero" lead if you need to.

As we think about this tragic loss, grieve for the families, and hope for the recovery of the other injured climber, let's all try to share some good memories and remember the legacy of someone who gave back and improved the world.

Learn more about Robbi at the links below:

Alpinist #77 Spring 2022

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5MjKA9cKAWFUDjz69SyRgL

https://goeast.ems.com/robbi-mecus-qa/

https://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/43054/20210119/wild-side-how-a-trans-forest-ranger-found-herself-in-the-adirondacks

https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/2019/12/24/what-expect-if-you-visit-adirondacks-holiday-break/2710002001/

https://americanalpineclub.org/news/2023/9/13/prescriptionseptember

https://www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/ice-climber-rescue-pitchoff 

RIP Robbi. You played an important role in making the Adirondack climbing community the beautiful thing that it is, and your courage will continue to inform how we treat each other in this world.

My heart is so incredibly heavy with this news, I’m not sure it really has sunken in that she is gone. She was such a force to be reckoned with, such a powerful spirit who was also so gentle and kind.

As the fore mentioned girlfriend in the original post who had just gotten all her own gear to start ice climbing more seriously, I was intimidated to ask anyone to get out because I felt like I didn’t have much to contribute in terms of experience. Robbi responded to a post of mine asking about learning resources and basically said - “nah let’s just get out on some ice together, I love to see fellow women in the sport.” I remember that first day so vividly. It was my first time up in the Adirondacks ever and we were going to climb Chouinard’s Gully. I hadn’t belayed multi pitch before at this time but had experience with lead belay. She said we’d be all set, put her trust in me, and took off around the corner, practically floating up the climb. I was in awe of her skill and comfort. She had so much wisdom she imparted to me that day and made such an impact on how I see climbing.
We decided to grab dinner after our climbs and to focus on her prowess as an amazing climber does injustice to the beautiful soul and person that she was. She was and will continue to be an inspiration for my climbing and learning in the outdoors, as well as an inspiration for the impact she has made as a park ranger and advocate in the outdoors. I hope to be able to be a mentor for other people just as she had for me.

I’ll forever cherish the times I’d gotten outdoors with her on rock and ice, and for the wonderful conversations we’ve shared. I know she will remain alive through each of us as we carry forward the memories and spirit she brought with her in everything she did.

Sending so much love to her family and close friends. She has been such a strong presence in the climbing and outdoor community and will be incredibly missed. 

When I first started climbing 25 years ago someone, I can’t remember who, told me to be prepared to lose friends to the mountains.

I guess I am pretty lucky that it took until the quarter-century mark to have to feel that grief – watching a close friend’s last moments be recounted by international news outlets is still stunning a day later.

I knew Robbi from the community locally, but it was on a climbing expedition in the Himalaya that I really had the chance to bond with her. She didn’t know it, but she was a strong influence on me as a young climber – teaching me a little about climbing but a lot about perspective in the big mountains.

Robbi worked hard to shatter boundaries, and I was often in awe watching her grow as a parent, alpinist, and one of the most badass DEC Rangers in one of the most unforgiving parts of the country.

Her name was often attached to all-night winter backcountry rescues, harrowing SAR stories that would feature her dragging the underprepared adventurers back to safety. Only Robbi would know how many lives she saved.

As a member of the trans community, Robbi’s courageous story to push into new terrain as a Ranger was featured by both local and international media, including an NPR profile. Robbi’s influence in these communities is irrefutable. The loss of such a strong advocate can only be expressed as heartbreaking.

I’ll be raising a glass of whiskey for you tonight my friend, to relive the memories I am so lucky to have of us climbing rock, ice, and some of the biggest mountains in the world.

Instead of posting a link to the accident, here’s something that truly tells the story of Robbi Mecus: https://www.npr.org/2021/02/22/970074466/transgender-woman-finds-acceptance-working-as-a-forest-ranger