‘She was such a bright light’: Rock climbing guide dies at state park while teaching gear safety class

BARABOO, Wis. (WMTV/Gray News) - Family and friends are mourning the loss of a rock climbing guide who died at a state park over the weekend.

A memorial is front and center at Wildside Action Sports, honoring the life of employee Audrie Pelosi.

The 30-year-old was said to have lost her life while on a climb at the Devil’s Lake State Park.

“Audrie passed away tragically on Saturday at Devil’s Lake State Park, a place she loved,” a group supporting the park and staff members shared. “We are shocked and saddened, and we are sending our deepest condolences to her family and friends.”

Information wasn’t immediately shared about how Pelosi died, but an obituary called it a “tragic climbing accident.”

Jeff Vogtschaller, a friend and colleague of Pelosi, said she died while teaching a rock climbing class on gear safety.

People from all over the community have come to Pelosi’s place of employment to drop off flowers and cards, where her husband, Jimmy Robinson, is the store manager.

“She was such a bright light in this world and brought so much joy to everyone she interacted with,” loved ones shared in a GoFundMe set up in Pelosi’s name.

Vogtschaller taught Pelosi how to rock climb and worked with both Pelosi and Robinson.

Pelosi was known for her love of animals and peanut butter.

“Not everybody knows that, but she’s a fanatic peanut butter person. We were instant friends,” Vogtschaller said.

He said he will miss her kind spirit and smile.

“She took big bites out of life. I mean, she didn’t go into anything halfway and it was always with a smile on her face,” he said.

Pelosi’s death remains under investigation.