Climbing rangers from North Cascades and Mount Rainier national parks have recovered the body of a climber who died on Forbidden Peak in North Cascades National Park in July/Ron Clausen via Wikimedia Commons

The body of a climber who fell into a crevasse and died while descending Forbidden Peak in North Cascades National Park in Washington state back in July was recovered in a technical mission performed by national park rangers.

On Saturday, August 12, the body of Susan Bennett, a 61-year-old climber from Bellingham, Washington, who died on July 22 on the peak's West Ridge, was recovered by search and rescue personnel from North Cascades and Mount Rainier national parks. 

Recovery efforts were initially hampered by weather, location, and unstable crevasse conditions. Weather and conditions finally cooperated on Saturday and the recovery was completed. Skagit County Sheriff’s and Coroner’s offices worked with National Park Service personnel to search, recover, and bring some closure to this accident. 

The initial response to this incident was routed to rescue personnel from a satellite texting device used by Bennett’s companions from the mountain. Devices like these can help facilitate prompt rescue operations in remote areas.