Body Found Is Failed Canadian Border Crosser

The rugged terrain surrounding Ross Lake, courtesy of Flickr User Rich Sobel

Usually, when we hear about people dying trying to cross the border, it is the other border being discussed. However, North Cascade National Park employees recently discovered the body of a man who died trying to walk across the Canadian border this winter. The body of 37-year-old Peter Kim was found on Friday by park employees who were clearing trails near Ross Lake. The county coroner said there was no evidence that Kim died during a pleasant winter hike gone awry. Whatcom County sheriff's Chief Deputy Jeff Park said Kim also did not appear to be the victim of a crime, or engaged in any kind of illegal or smuggling activity. How and why the 37-year-old died of exposure and malnutrition crossing the border by foot in the midst of a rough Washington winter remains a mystery. Seattlest has enjoyed many a wonderful hike near Ross Lake, and we can assure you it is not terrain we would want to traverse in the depths of a Washington winter.