Pictured: New York trans woman, Robbi Mecus, 52, falls to death while ice climbing on Alaska mountain

A New York trans woman fell 1,000ft to her death while ice climbing on an Alaskan mountain.

Robbi Mecus, 52, of Keene Valley, died after she and her climbing partner fell while they ascended Mount Johnson, an 8,400ft peak, in Denali National Park on Thursday night. 

The other climber, Melissa Orzechowski, 30, from California, survived the fall but suffered 'serious traumatic injuries,' according to the National Park Service. 

Around 10.45pm, other climbers who witnessed the tragic incident called for help, but a rescue helicopter pilot and mountaineering rangers couldn't save the surviving climber until 7am Friday. 

Later that morning, a park helicopter and two rangers went back to the scene to recover Mecus's body, but had to turn back because of 'deteriorating weather.' 

Robbi Mecus, 52, of Keene Valley, died after her and her climbing partner fell while they climbed Mount Johnson, an 8,400ft peek, in Denali National Park on Thursday night

Mecus, a New York forest ranger, was recovered on Saturday morning from the bottom of the mountain known as 'the Escalator' after the pair fell 1,000ft

Mecus, a New York forest ranger, was recovered on Saturday morning from the bottom of the mountain known as 'the Escalator' after the pair fell about 1,000ft. 

Mecus is survived by her former wife Sam and their daughter Hazel. 

'I join the Department of Environmental Conservation family in mourning the sudden and tragic passing of Forest Ranger Robbi Mecus,' interim DEC Commissioner Sean Mahar said in a statement. 

The other climber, Melissa Orzechowski (left)  survived the treacherous fall and sustained 'serious traumatic injuries' 

According to the agency, Mecus was a forest ranger for the Department of Environmental Conservation's Adirondack region for 25 years after she joined in 1999 at the age of 27. 

Maher said Mecus not only 'exemplified the Forest Rangers' high standard of professional excellence,' but praised her work in 'advancing diversity, inclusion, and LGBTQ belonging throughout the agency.' 

'Over her 25-year career with DEC, Ranger Mecus demonstrated an unparalleled passion for protecting the environment and New Yorkers,' Maher added. 

According to NCPR, Mecus took part in 'hundreds of search and rescues over her career,' and recently helped find a frostbitten and hypothermic hiker in High Peaks in March. 

Mecus was seen in a video from March 2023, explaining another rescue that she assisted in after she helped a 60-year-old woman with a leg injury on Wright Peak in New York. 

'Part of our job is to remember that when this is happening to a member of the public, this is one of their worst days,' Mecus said in the video.

Mecus was seen in a picture climbing an icy mountain in December 2021. 'Let your freak flag fly,' she said in the caption as she wore a pride flag on her back

It wasn't until she was 44 that Mecus came out as a transgender woman and said she waited for 'many reasons.' She later become a role model for the climbing community 

'So, having the skill set to talk to them very calmly and rationally, and letting them know they're in good hands, is important,' she added. 

Mecus, who called herself a 'rescue junkie,' said although she never 'wishes harm' on anybody, she took 'a certain amount of pride' in each rescue. 

In 2021, Mecus, who was born in Brooklyn in the early 1970s, told NCPR that she struggled with coming out as a trans woman.  Mecus told the outlet she came from a conservative Catholic family and would 'insist on wearing girls' clothes to school.'

'From the moment I had an idea of what gender was, I knew that I was a girl,' she said. 

'I remember having fights with my mother, her putting me in button shirts and buster-brown shoes and cutting my hair, and just screaming at the top of my lungs until I lost my voice.' 

It wasn't until she was 44 that Mecus came out as transgender and said she waited for 'many reasons.' 

'I didn't see anybody else doing the things that I still wanted to do and I didn't think I could do them,' she recounted. 'I didn’t see any queer rangers. I didn’t see any trans climbers.' 

After she came out, Mecus became a role model in the Adirondacks community. 

Mecus, who called herself a 'rescue junkie,' said although she never 'wished harm' on anybody, she took 'a certain amount of pride' in each rescue

It is unclear what went wrong during the climb as she successfully made it up the large mountain last year

Mecus is survived by her former wife (left)  Sam and their daughter Hazel (center). A GoFundMe page was created by the Adirondack community to support them

She helped host the Adirondack Queer Ice Fest with Orzechowski and took part in public events. 

Mecus was seen in a picture climbing an icy mountain in December 2021. 

'Let your freak flag fly,' she said in the caption as she wore a pride flag on her back.  

It is unclear what went wrong during Thursday's climb as she successfully made it up the large mountain last year. The peak is known as one of the most dangerous. 

Former DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos took to X and said that he was 'devastated' to hear Mecus's passing. 

'Robbi was such an incredible person. A pillar of strength. Always for the most difficult @NYSDEC rescues and crises, and a tremendous leader for LGBTQIA+ rights,' Seggos said. 

'I feel fortunate to have known her. Rest in peace, Ranger,' he added. 

A GoFundMe page was created by the Adirondack community to support the mother and daughter.  As of Monday morning, more than $3,000 was raised.