Two separate hiking accidents on Washington’s Sauk Mountain Trail resulted in the deaths of two hikers within days of each other, local authorities reported. Gary Idleburg, 66, of Olympia, died on September 19 after falling from a switchback on the trail near Concrete. Two days earlier, 78-year-old Peter Kalapaca died following a separate fall after he became separated from his hiking group on the same mountain.
Fatal Fall Reported on Sauk Mountain Trail
The Skagit County Sheriff’s Office responded to multiple emergency calls at approximately 3:30 p.m. on September 19. Witnesses on the scene estimated that Idleburg fell between 800 and 1,000 feet after slipping off the edge of a curved section of the path. Because of the rugged terrain and the remote location of the trail, local search and rescue personnel requested support from Washington State Parks and an aerial unit to locate and recover the victim. The multi-agency recovery operation deployed ground crews, a rescue helicopter, and specialized tracking dogs to navigate the steep terrain.
Search Operation Ends in Tragic Discovery for Kalapaca
The tragedy followed a separate search and rescue mission initiated two days prior on September 17, when family members contacted the sheriff’s office to report a hiker missing. Kalapaca had lost contact with his group while navigating the mountain paths. Rescue teams launched a 24-hour search operation across the slopes before locating him via a local rescue helicopter. Authorities confirmed that Kalapaca was unresponsive and had passed away by the time rescue personnel reached him.
Andy Kalapaca, the victim’s son, noted in a public statement on Facebook that his father possessed extensive hiking experience, though he suggested that age may have played a factor in the accident. “He was experienced. I’m sure his age had something to do with it,” he wrote, while emphasizing the importance of hiking with companions regardless of a person’s background level of experience. Family members remembered Kalapaca as an adventurous and humorous husband and father who spent his final moments engaging in an activity he loved.
Community Remembers Gary Idleburg
Outside of his passion for outdoor activities and judo, Idleburg maintained an active role in community advocacy and criminal justice reform. Records show he spent nearly five years teaching classes for the Black Prisoners Caucus, an organization composed of incarcerated individuals with multiple state chapters. He also volunteered at public radio station KSER 90.7 FM, producing a monthly broadcast titled “America’s Disappeared” that focused on prison reform and the penal system.
As a martial arts practitioner, Idleburg served as a judo sensei at Budokan Judo Dojo, where he trained athletes and competed in tournaments. Johann Muller, a longtime training partner, shared a tribute online mourning his passing: “I’m going to miss him.”
Decade-Long Safety Concerns on Washington Trails
Following the back-to-back incidents, the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office noted that at least five hikers have died along the Sauk Mountain Trail over the past decade. Officials extended formal condolences to the families of both Idleburg and Kalapaca as authorities continue to monitor trail safety in the area.
