Hikers' Shortcut Led To Their Deaths On Mt. Pilchuck -- Route Ended At Edge Of Steep Cliff

Two Everett teen-agers who died on Mount Pilchuck Saturday apparently fell to their deaths after leaving a marked trail in search of a shortcut down the mountain, Snohomish County rescue workers said.

The bodies of Crisi Seppi, 19, and Dan Stout, 18, were recovered Tuesday after four days of searching by air and ground teams.

Using bloodhounds, rescue workers were able to follow the teens' trail to the slippery edge of a sheer cliff. Searchers scaling the rugged mountainside then sighted Sepi's body between a snow bank and the sheer cliff face. Stout was found roughly 30 yards away, his body buried under 20 feet of wet, heavy snow.

According to Snohomish County sheriff's deputy Dane Sant, who led the search-and-rescue operation, Seppi and Stout were at least one-quarter-mile east of the Mount Pilchuck Trail when they fell.

Maintained by the U.S. Forest Service, the Mount Pilchuck Trail is a steep three-mile climb up the side of the mountain, which rises 5,324 feet. The trail, which begins near the parking lot of the old Mount Pilchuck ski lodge, cuts through wooded land and a boulder-strewn meadow, ending at a lookout tower.

Earlier reports from some rescuers had indicated that the deaths were caused when a portion of the trail collapsed. However, rescuers now believe the two teen-agers left the trail on the return trip down the mountain.

Sant said other hikers on the mountain Saturday reported seeing

Seppi and Stout at the lookout tower. One hiker, who believes he spoke with the teens, told searchers the pair asked about shortcuts down the mountain before setting out on their return trip.

``From what we now understand, it seems fairly clear that the kids made it to the lookout tower on the trail but on their return trip decided to try another course,'' Sant said.

``Instead of following the trail to the north, they headed east across a snowfield. And that's when the trouble began.

``That snowfield drops off a cliff and it's 400 vertical-feet straight down onto rocks.''

Although the top portion of the trail was obscured by snow, Sant said, the press of footprints along the route generally mark a clear path to and from the lookout tower.

Mount Pilchuck is a

popular recreation area within an easy drive of the greater Seattle area. And because the newly remodeled lookout tower affords a spectacular view, many people - including some who may not be prepared - undertake the climb, Sant said.

``Every year we do a lot of searches on that mountain,'' he said. ``Some folks stray from the trail and get lost or hurt, but a lot more get into trouble by leaving unprepared.

``Every year we see people going up there with nothing but their sneakers, a sack lunch and a smile on their face, never stopping to think about the problems they could encounter during a climb 2,300 feet up. It's crazy.''

In no time at all the weather can turn nasty on the mountain, Sant said. And what appears to be easy terrain can quickly become treacherous ground.

Sant recommended hikers always carry extra clothing and something to use as a signal for help. And above all hikers should leave word where they are going and follow marked trails.