A hiker was killed after falling from the 99 Switchbacks section of California’s Mt. Whitney Main Trail on Saturday, October 25, prompting a multi-day recovery effort that was repeatedly hampered by severe weather.
According to the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office, Search and Rescue (SAR) teams were alerted to a potential fatality shortly before 1 p.m. on Saturday. Three rescuers from Inyo County SAR joined California Highway Patrol (CHP) Helicopter H-80 at the Lone Pine Airport that afternoon. However, sustained high winds prevented the helicopter from reaching the site, forcing crews to postpone the operation.
The following day, October 26, the fatality was confirmed by rescuers who reached the scene with the assistance of Mono County SAR. The teams hiked roughly seven miles to access the victim and lower the body to a more accessible area. Yet once again, powerful winds made aerial evacuation impossible.
Improved conditions on Monday, October 27, enabled CHP H-80 to safely extract the victim with support from Inyo SAR. The individual was transferred to the Inyo County Coroner’s Office. The victim’s name has not been publicly released pending family notification.
Inyo SAR expressed gratitude to Mono County SAR for their assistance and urged the public to be respectful when discussing the incident online. “Family and friends of the victim may be following this post, and some comments could be hurtful,” the agency noted in a statement.
Officials also issued a safety reminder as Mount Whitney transitions to winter conditions. Snow, ice, freezing temperatures, and intense windstorms now make the Main Trail a mountaineering route rather than a casual hike. The 99 Switchbacks area, in particular, has become treacherously icy, and authorities warn it should only be attempted with proper equipment and experience.
- Related: Unprepared and Inexperienced Solo Hiker Dies on 14,505′ Mount Whitney, CA, Winter Summit Attempt
Inyo County Search and Rescue operates as an unpaid, all-volunteer non-profit organization under the authority of the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office. Donations supporting its lifesaving work can be made at inyoSAR.com/donate.
Mount Whitney, at 14,505 feet (4,421 meters) elevation, is the highest peak in the contiguous United States. Located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California, it straddles the border between Inyo and Tulare counties. Its summit marks the southern end of the John Muir Trail and lies within Sequoia National Park. Known for its striking granite slopes and alpine environment, Mount Whitney towers more than 10,000 feet above the nearby Owens Valley and offers both strenuous hiking and technical climbing routes. The mountain experiences harsh winter conditions, with snow, ice, and frequent windstorms, making it a challenging destination that requires proper preparation and equipment.
