Laurie Choate was an avid, experienced, and careful hiker. She was a dedicated member and teacher to the Olympia Mountaineers and took every precaution to be prepared in the wilderness. She spent 30 years with Clatsop Community College teaching nursing. She retired to help the nursing program at South Puget Sound Community College regain national accreditation. She had two children.
On September 4th 2018 Laurie hiked with her best friend north from Snoqualmie Pass on the PCT for an overnight stay at Ridge Lake. On the way back the next day, just after passing Kendall Katwalk, she slipped and fell 300 ft.
Her friend called 911 (there is mobile phone service there) and a helicopter from the King County Sheriff’s Office flew in. However, conditions were too risky to reach her from the helicopter. Paramedics arrived about 20 minutes later, and pronounced Choate dead. She was 64 years old.
I took the above photo in 2024 while climbing Snoqualmie Mountain.
In 2016 she and her daughter hiked the 110 mile Tour du Mont Blanc in the Alps with over 30,000 feet in elevation change.
Laurie Choate Memorial Scholarship