Anchorage Daily News

Mountaineering guides Heidi Kloos and Robert Durnell with the guiding company Mountain Trip International based in Ophir, Colo., have won the Denali Pro Award for helping climbers during a 2007 Mount McKinley rescue.

The award is selected by National Park mountaineering rangers. Kloos, of Ridgeway, Colo., and Durnell received a trophy and their names were added to the Denali Pro Award plaque displayed at the Talkeetna Ranger Station.

Last season, Durnell and Kloos were at the 17,200-foot camp on McKinley when they saw two climbers take a 2,000-foot fall in late May.

The two climbers volunteered to help the rescue team dispatched by the Park Service.

When the team arrived at the scene, one climber was dead and the second was in serious condition, bleeding and having trouble breathing.

Kloos and Durnell helped rangers with emergency medical treatment and evacuation; the second climber died next day without regaining consciousness.

Kloos and Durnell remained at the fall site to secure the first climber's remains for recovery and, despite blowing winds and drifting snow, to collect personal effects scattered throughout the fall zone.

"Heidi Kloos and Robert Durnell exemplify the quality of character that the Denali Pro Award seeks to recognize," South District ranger Daryl Miller said. "We thank them for their hard work."

Since its inception 10 years ago, the Denali Pro program has honored 15 individuals for exhibiting high standards of safety, self sufficiency, assisting fellow mountaineers and Leave No Trace ethics.

Throughout each season, rangers award worthy individuals with a pin. At the end of the season a top winner or winners are selected.

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