As usual, we have only sketchy and often unreliable news accounts. Some reports say " Karen Sykes died of hypothermia with the secondary cause of heart disease, the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s office said this afternoon." Earlier reports said she was prepared to spend at least one night out.

So did a heart attack make her susceptible to hypothermia? Was she found using her extra gear? Or was it still in her pack? We can speculate all day long, but the bottom line is we don't know jack. That's why I don't jump to conclusions, or pass judgement on her actions and preparations.