Body of climber recovered after 1,000-foot fatal fall on Alaska peak

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Authorities say a helicopter crew has recovered the body of a climber who died after falling about 1,000 feet while on a steep, technical route in Alaska’s Denali National Park and Preserve. Park officials say 52-year-old Robbi Mecus of Keene Valley, New York, died of injuries sustained in a fall Thursday while climbing a route on the southeast face of Mount Johnson. Her climbing partner, a 30-year-old woman from California, was seriously injured. She was rescued Friday and flown to an Anchorage hospital. The helicopter crew tried to recover Mecus’ body that day but was forced back by deteriorating weather. Improved conditions on Saturday morning allowed for the retrieval of the body.