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Foist Sultan of Sweat
Joined: 08 May 2006 Posts: 3974 | TRs | Pics Location: Back! |
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Foist
Sultan of Sweat
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Mon Jun 23, 2014 5:35 pm
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Judging by the update posted by Fourteen, we do know what happened. She was a great woman and a great hiker who simply passed doing what she loved. Nothing could make this less sad, but in a way this is a more satisfying explanation than other alternatives.
Other than that, I'm not sure what there is to "learn" from this, hiking-wise. I suppose, if it's possible that a companion could have arranged for a quick rescue after a heart failure, that one could "learn" that you shouldn't hike solo, at least if you have heart disease. But that's just a personal decision that people are already well aware of, I would think. I'm personally not in the mood for another debate about solo hiking...
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Kim Brown Member
Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 6899 | TRs | Pics
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Can[t imagine what the lesson would be either. People die in the mountains.
We'll all miss her. She was such an inspiration. Hundreds of photos all over Facebook, and memories written.
"..living on the east side of the Sierra world be ideal - except for harsher winters and the chance of apocalyptic fires burning the whole area."
Bosterson, NWHiker's marketing expert
"..living on the east side of the Sierra world be ideal - except for harsher winters and the chance of apocalyptic fires burning the whole area."
Bosterson, NWHiker's marketing expert
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Mtn Dog Technohiker
Joined: 01 Aug 2004 Posts: 3336 | TRs | Pics Location: Bellevue, WA |
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Mtn Dog
Technohiker
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Mon Jun 23, 2014 7:53 pm
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Some more photos of Karen in her element. She recommended a couple of hikes for me that I've always planned to do because she spoke so highly of them (Cispus Pass and Seven Lakes Basin). Now I'll hike them in her memory. Here's to you, Karen!
Watching the Polallie Ridge fire Karen and Snoqualmie Mtn Tarn near Guye Peak Ascending to Headlee Pass Short rest on the trail On top of Vesper Peak I was usually in her shadow...
Footprints on the sands of time will never be made sitting down.
Footprints on the sands of time will never be made sitting down.
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Randito Snarky Member
Joined: 27 Jul 2008 Posts: 9512 | TRs | Pics Location: Bellevue at the moment. |
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Randito
Snarky Member
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Mon Jun 23, 2014 8:58 pm
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I think it would be great if people could stop speculating about the exact circumstances and nature of Karen's passing. I believe the NPS and SAR might have addtional details that could be released in a incident report at the approriate time that might provide useful information for avoiding repeating a similar mishap.
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Bernardo Member
Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 2174 | TRs | Pics Location: out and about in the world |
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Bernardo
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Mon Jun 23, 2014 9:09 pm
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Now is not the time to build a narrative based on very little information or engage in speculative debates. People are mourning here and remembering a lost friend.
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Rich Baldwin Mister Eddie
Joined: 22 Dec 2001 Posts: 1686 | TRs | Pics Location: Martinique |
I will want to pay my respects. If anyone knows of the arrangements, I would really like to know.
Thank you.
Was you ever bit by a dead bee?
Was you ever bit by a dead bee?
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forest gnome Forest nut...
Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Posts: 3520 | TRs | Pics Location: north cascades!! |
I meant that the accident book that comes out has details not availble here...or that her daughter may provide some insights...not speculating just upset we lost one that meant so much to all here...
thanks for posting all the great photos of her in the outdoors!!
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wolfwoman Member
Joined: 19 Jun 2006 Posts: 10 | TRs | Pics
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I think it's natural for people to want to understand a tragedy like this. Not to look for blame, but a reason. I don't believe for an instant that this happened because she was lost or that she was unprepared. That's what's so concerning. I'm not as surprised when other folks meet this end, but Karen? Someone so competent and prepared. There has to be some other reason than hypothermia. She was too experienced and aware to let that happen. I just haunts me.
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Randito Snarky Member
Joined: 27 Jul 2008 Posts: 9512 | TRs | Pics Location: Bellevue at the moment. |
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Randito
Snarky Member
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Mon Jun 23, 2014 10:09 pm
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wolfwoman wrote: | I think it's natural for people to want to understand a tragedy like this. Not to look for blame, but a reason. I don't believe for an instant that this happened because she was lost or that she was unprepared. That's what's so concerning. I'm not as surprised when other folks meet this end, but Karen? Someone so competent and prepared. There has to be some other reason than hypothermia. She was too experienced and aware to let that happen. I just haunts me. |
When a tragedy occurs it is natural to seek to understand what happened and to look for reasons why and for ways to avoid a recurrence. We all like to believe that with proper preparation that we can avoid a similar fate – that we have some control over what happens to us. Unfortunately the amount of control that we actually have is often much less than we would like to believe. Proper preparation and training improves our odds, but doesn’t guarantee 100% safety.
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Chief Joseph Member
Joined: 10 Nov 2007 Posts: 7703 | TRs | Pics Location: Verlot-Priest Lake |
RandyHiker wrote: | wolfwoman wrote: | I think it's natural for people to want to understand a tragedy like this. Not to look for blame, but a reason. I don't believe for an instant that this happened because she was lost or that she was unprepared. That's what's so concerning. I'm not as surprised when other folks meet this end, but Karen? Someone so competent and prepared. There has to be some other reason than hypothermia. She was too experienced and aware to let that happen. I just haunts me. |
When a tragedy occurs it is natural to seek to understand what happened and to look for reasons why and for ways to avoid a recurrence. We all like to believe that with proper preparation that we can avoid a similar fate – that we have some control over what happens to us. Unfortunately the amount of control that we actually have is often much less than we would like to believe. Proper preparation and training improves our odds, but doesn’t guarantee 100% safety. |
Very true, imho sometimes it's just our time and nothing can change that. Obviously Karen was loved by many, made a positive influence upon many lives, and lived life to the fullest.
Go placidly amid the noise and waste, and remember what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof.
Go placidly amid the noise and waste, and remember what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof.
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ranger rock One of the boys
Joined: 14 Dec 2011 Posts: 2550 | TRs | Pics
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wheatie wrote: |
I don't think that was meant to be publicly shared and it upsets me that it is...Karen's daughter is probably not considering facebook privacy settings at this time. |
https://www.facebook.com/search/more/?q=Karen+Sykes&init=public#!/annette.shirey.9?hc_location=timeline
Annette Shirey
12 hours ago.
I am making preliminary travel plans to travel with Arnie to Seattle for memorial services of my mother.
There is no date set at this point in time.
I am considering changing my privacy settings on Facebook.
For the hiking community and sincere people who share in my grief, I will keep the Facebook settings open to the public for now. I want my mother to be revered for the writer and lover of nature she was and the beautiful ways she represented Seattle and the Northwest in her photography and writing.
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Gwen LO Girl-of-the-Month
Joined: 14 Feb 2010 Posts: 1673 | TRs | Pics
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Gwen
LO Girl-of-the-Month
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Tue Jun 24, 2014 12:04 am
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I will say this once just as simply as I can. There is hardly a life on these boards who was not touched by Karen Sykes, be it directly or indirectly. Many of us never knew Karen, but many of us did, some extremely well. I am sincerely requesting that we keep this thread respectful with no speculating, no bickering, and no trolling. Our community has lost an irreplaceable member and we are all grieving in one way or another, some very deeply. I did not know Karen, but many of my friends did and it is for them as well as Karen that my heart aches. Lets support each other in this process rather than tearing at the tender threads that bind us together.
Tomorrow's not promised to anyone, so be bold, scare yourself, attempt something with no guarantee of success. You'll be amazed at what you can achieve. -Olive McGloin
Tomorrow's not promised to anyone, so be bold, scare yourself, attempt something with no guarantee of success. You'll be amazed at what you can achieve. -Olive McGloin
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Gregory Member
Joined: 08 Mar 2014 Posts: 386 | TRs | Pics
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Gregory
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Tue Jun 24, 2014 4:06 am
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Before the news of hypothermia being the cause of death I was sad for karen.
Now I have the utmost respect for her.
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Dave Workman Member
Joined: 06 Aug 2006 Posts: 3699 | TRs | Pics Location: In the woods, by the big tree |
"Can't cheat the mountain. Mountain's got its own ways."
I think Karen is still on the trail. Up there ahead, just around the next bend.
"The essential American soul is hard, isolate, stoic, and a killer. It has never yet melted." - D.H. Lawrence
"The essential American soul is hard, isolate, stoic, and a killer. It has never yet melted." - D.H. Lawrence
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mike Member
Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Posts: 6397 | TRs | Pics Location: SJIsl |
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mike
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Tue Jun 24, 2014 7:06 am
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If that is indeed true then a PLB might have saved her life...
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