On January 3, 2013 Kurt Ruppert, a Florida wing suit enthusiast, jumped out of a chartered helicopter hovering over Mt Si at 6500′ to begin another of his over 1000 thrilling jumps. It was the last time anyone ever saw him. Two companions jumped just before him and were waiting in the landing zone, but did not see him jump, or see his chute deploy. The Mount Si trailheads were closed to function as a base for Search and Rescue operations. About 145 searchers covered a 9 square mile area on the flanks and cliffs of Mount Si for 4 days before concluding that it was unlikely Kurt had survived, given the cold conditions and lack of contact from him. The story drew national coverage because of the sensational nature of the sport and the suspense over whether Kurt had survived. Messages of grief and condolence convey the tragedy of this accident.

Related coverage

• 2013/01/04 Searchers comb Mount Si for missing skydiver
• 2013/01/04 Missing Skydiver Identified
• 2013/01/04 Missing skydiver had made more than 1,000 jumps
• 2013/01/05 Crews Continue To Look For Skydiver In Washington
• 2013/01/04 Search for missing Lake City skydiver resumes Saturday
• 2013/01/05 Crews narrow search area for skydiver in Wash
• 2013/01/06 Search Suspended: Skydiver Kurt Ruppert Still Missing on Mt. Si
• 2013/01/06 Ground search ends for skydiver missing in Washington
• 2013/01/07 Rescuers scour Washington’s Cascade Mountains for missing skydiver
• 2013/01/07 Police: Missing skydiver likely hasn’t survived
• 2013/01/09 Search ends for skydiver
• SMR February newsletter includes details of the search operation.
  Lower three photos courtesy of Seattle Mountain Rescue.