Mt. Whitney hiker who forged on after friend turned back is found dead

"The hiker was reported missing Monday after failing to descend the mountain and reunite with a hiking companion, who had decided the prior afternoon to turn around early due to safety concerns, according a post from Inyo County Search & Rescue. The hiker who was later found dead had decided Sunday afternoon to continue onward alone. A rescue team located the hiker during an aerial search,"

"But the team did use the tragedy to remind hikers of the inherent dangers of climbing Mt. Whitney - or any other steep peak - this time of year. "This incident, along with recent fatalities on Mount Whitney and Mount Baldy, serves as a reminder that winter ascents are serious mountaineering endeavors, not hikes. Winter conditions leave little margin for error, and the consequences can be severe,""

A hiker who chose to continue alone on a late-season ascent of Mt. Whitney was reported missing and later found dead on the mountain's north face below the "final 400" chute. Aerial search teams recovered the body after the hiker's companion had turned back the prior afternoon over safety concerns. Search and rescue officials emphasized that winter ascents leave little margin for error and urged groups to heed safety warnings. Local authorities warned of rising numbers of unprepared hikers on difficult peaks. Two other recent Whitney fatalities occurred this season, including a December recovery of a 21-year-old and an October fall on the 99 Switchbacks.

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