Autopsy finds outdoors writer died of hypothermia on MountRainier

This undated image provided by Lola Kemp shows missing hiker Karen Sykes, right, with her friendLola Kemp. (AP Photo/Lola Kemp)

SEATTLE - Â A 70-year-old hiker who died of hypothermia in rugged terrain in Mount RainierNational Park over the weekend was experienced, prepared and knew the mountain well afterhaving written dozens of stories about treks through the area.

She did not have other injuries and her death was an accident, the Pierce County medical examiner'soffice said Monday. Karen Sykes had heart disease, according to an autopsy, but her daughter andothers said she was healthy and fit and often hiked twice a week.

While not certain about the circumstances around her death, those who knew Sykes said earlier thatthey believed her death was something that could happen to anyone no matter how experienced.

"The mountains are big. There's a lot going on. She wasextremely experienced but experience has nothing to dowith any of it," said Kim Brown, who has hiked with Sykes.

"She was very careful, very cautious," Brown said ofSykes, who was prominent in the Northwest hikingcommunity for her trail reviews and photographs and her

book on hiking western Washington. "It's just something that happens out in the mountains.Everybody who goes in the mountains knows this can happen. It doesn't mean that you shouldn't goout, you need to be aware of it."

Sykes was reported missing late Wednesday when she failed to meet up with her boyfriend asplanned during a day hike on the east side of the mountain.

Park officials suspended three-day search efforts on Saturday when they discovered Sykes.

Kindra Ramos, with the nonprofit Washington Trails Association, said she won't guess whathappened to Sykes but said hiking comes with some inherent risks.

"As they go outdoors, the best thing you could do is to have your 10 essentials, be comfortable withyour surroundings, and go as far as you're comfortable," Ramos said.

She recommended proper trip planning and preparation, including reading trip reports and knowingweather conditions.

"Karen knew these things and I'm sure did them. She really had her bases covered, andunfortunately accidents happen sometimes," Ramos said. She added that Sykes would want peopleto know that there are some risks but "she wouldn't want to scare people from hiking."

Mary Kay Nelson, executive director of Visit Rainier, an organization that promotes tourism at themountain, said Sykes was researching a story that she likely would have submitted to the website.

She said Sykes had written about more than 100 hikes in the Rainier area, and "was always eager tofind new places to go, hidden hikes that weren't well-traveled."

Nelson said Sykes' disappearance was particularly shocking because she was so experienced.

"It tells us that no matter how prepared we are, accidents happens and things can happen. We needto take outdoor recreation seriously. There's a certain amount of risk every day we get up, whateverwe do," she said.

Since 2000, 18 hikers have died in MountRainier National Park, including from falls,drowning and heart attacks, according to parkstatistics.

Annette Shirey, 52, who lives in Tucson,Arizona, said her mother had a personalconnection to the mountain and wanted toshare that love with others.

"The mountains were always a place that gaveher strength and (were) always uplifting forher," she said. "It helped restore her spirit andher strength."