A man fell at least 800 feet to his death while hiking on Sauk Mountain in Washington state over the weekend, according to local authorities. Gary Idleburg, 66, from Olympia, may have fallen as much as 1,000 feet after slipping over the edge of a switchback trail, a type of winding path that turns back on itself to help hikers ascend steep terrain. The Skagit County Sheriff’s Office reported that witnesses saw the fall occur around 3:30 p.m. local time on Saturday. Other hikers on the mountain helped locate Idleburg and directed emergency responders to the scene. Despite the efforts of first responders, Idleburg was pronounced dead at the location. The recovery operation took until around 8 p.m. due to the remote and difficult terrain where he had fallen. This tragic incident occurred just one day after another hiker was found dead on the same mountain. Peter Kalapaca, 78, was discovered unresponsive in a steep section of the Sauk Mountain Trail on Friday night. He had been reported missing on the mountain on Thursday, and a helicopter crew located his body in an area that ground search teams could not reach. Another helicopter was used to recover his remains. The sheriff’s office expressed condolences to Kalapaca’s family, acknowledging the efforts of those involved in the search and recovery, which provided some closure for the family. Sauk Mountain, which reaches a peak altitude of 5,500 feet, is a popular hiking destination in northwestern Washington. The trail, which is just over 4 miles roundtrip, is described by the Washington Trails Association as steep and narrow, with some sections eroded due to hikers cutting switchbacks. The association notes that multiple people have fallen to their deaths on the trail over the years, highlighting the inherent risks of the terrain. Authorities often remind hikers to stay on designated trails and follow safety guidelines, especially on challenging paths like Sauk Mountain. While the trails offer scenic views and a sense of adventure, the remote and rugged nature of the area can make emergencies particularly dangerous and difficult to manage.