Buried in 2 Feet of Snow With No Overnight Gear, a Hike in the Enchantments Just Turned Deadly

An Oklahoma woman died of hypothermia while attempting a thru-hike of the Enchantments, a renowned high-alpine region in Washington state’s Cascade Mountain Range.

Sybil Claborn, 45, was hiking with her husband on September 13 when an early-season snowstorm struck the trail, according to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). Several feet of snow buried the couple, both of whom suffered severe hypothermia. Claborn succumbed to the cold.

“The area the couple was at is approximately 7,000 to 8,000 feet in elevation, with either trailhead approximately eight to ten miles away,” CCSO Chief Ryan Moody said in a statement sent to Outside. “Storms had persisted throughout the day, producing significant snowfall in the area. The male reported that both individuals’ clothing was soaked and that they did not have overnight gear.”

Authorities have not released the man’s name, age, or condition.

The Illusion of Day Hiking the Enchantments

The Enchantments is a coveted alpine hiking area known for mountain goats, turquoise lakes, and jagged peaks. The Washington Trail Association (WTA) categorizes the 18-mile one-way hike as being “hard,” with 4,500 feet of elevation gain and a high point of 7,800 feet. The couple was in the so-called “core zone” of the Enchantments, which is a high plateau filled with lakes, authorities say. A high-alpine basin forms the centerpiece of the Enchantments traverse.

Camping along the Enchantments traverse is only allowed by securing a competitive permit. Some hikers will attempt the entire trek in a day to avoid one, but weather conditions can turn violent quickly, especially at high elevations, putting unprepared mountaineers at an extreme risk of rapid hypothermia. Although large amounts of snow don’t typically accumulate until November, variable weather is common through these alpine peaks.

“Those undertaking the Enchantments thru-traverse in September should be aware of variable conditions brought by the onset of autumn in the alpine,” WTA writes on its website. “Conditions can vary greatly this time of year—it is not uncommon for 30-plus degree temperature swings to occur in a single day.”

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