Parks officer dies in climbing accident

A Parks Canada patrol officer fell to his death while rappelling down the face of Mount Thor in Auyuittuq National Park last Tuesday.

Philip Robinson, 26, had worked for Parks Canada since 2001, first in Quttinirpaaq National Park on Ellesmere Island and later in Auyuittuq National Park, located between Pangnirtung and Qikiqtarjuaq. Robinson was originally from Igloolik.

“He was amazing. He connected to everybody. He was one of those larger than life people,” said Pauline Scott, a communications officer for Parks Canada in Iqaluit.

Police and Parks Canada are investigating the death, which is believed to be caused either by equipment failure or human error. Robinson was considered an experienced climber, Slawson said.