The Inyo County Sheriff's Office said Monday that motel staff in Lone Pine, California, reported a guest who failed to check out and left belongings behind on Oct. 19. Deputies located the climber's vehicle the next day at Whitney Portal, roughly 8,300 feet above sea level and about a four-hour drive from Las Vegas.
The U.S. Forest Service confirmed the climber held a permit for the Mountaineer's Route — a steep, technical path to the summit — for Oct. 18. A California Highway Patrol helicopter spotted the deceased climber on the route last Tuesday, but an incoming storm system brought snow and hazardous conditions that halted recovery efforts.
On Sunday, a search and rescue team navigated snow and ice to reach the remains at an elevation of approximately 13,600 feet. The body was hoisted by helicopter and transferred to the Inyo County coroner's office for positive identification.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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