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Kenmore woman falls to her death while climbing Blind Bluff on San Juan Islands

SAN JUAN COUNTY, Wash. — A Kenmore woman fell to her death Thursday while climbing Blind Bluff, according to the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities said at approximately 5:17 p.m. the U.S. Coast Guard sent out an alert to all vessels around Blakely Islands regarding an injured kayaker.

While passing by the island, the ferry Samish was diverted and launched a rescue boat with two crew members and a deputy on board who was returning from training.

They discovered that the kayaker, identified as Sarah M. Henderson, was dead.

Officials said Henderson was climbing the face of the mountain and had lost her footing, falling to her death.

Henderson’s father, who was notified, said she was an avid hiker and climber and often went off alone for days at a time.

Her death is being ruled as a tragic accident, according to the Sheriff’s Office.