The bodies of two hikers, Andrew Niziol and Patty Bolan, who went missing on Mount Whitney, California's highest peak, have been recovered and identified.
The bodies of two missing hikers, Andrew Niziol, 28, and Patty Bolan, 29, who were last seen on May 7th, embarking on a hike up Mount Whitney, California's highest peak, have been recovered and identified.
The Tulare County Sheriff's Office announced the tragic news on May 12th, after a five-day search-and-rescue effort. Their bodies were located on the north face of Mount Whitney at an elevation of 13,200 feet.
The couple, both from South Lake Tahoe, were experienced hikers who had been on a cross-state hiking trip. They intended to descend to the "Notch" with the aim of skiing or snowboarding from there back to Upper Boy Scout Lake, their campsite.
However, when Niziol and Bolan failed to return to camp for several hours, other hikers in their group alerted the authorities. Search and rescue teams were immediately deployed, including helicopter and foot teams, to search for the missing hikers.
The couple's bodies were discovered by a search crew who came across two "fall victims" at the mentioned elevation. Detectives from the Tulare County Sheriff's Office were then dispatched to retrieve the bodies from Lone Pine in Inyo.
According to social media posts by Niziol and Bolan, just days before their Mount Whitney trip, they had attempted to hike and snowboard Mount Shasta but were unable to summit due to adverse weather conditions. They had expressed excitement for their upcoming adventure on Mount Whitney.
Mount Whitney, towering at 14,494 feet, is the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States and is located in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. It is a popular destination for hikers, but due to its high elevation and challenging terrain, a permit system is in place to minimize environmental impact.
The circumstances surrounding the hikers' deaths are still under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff's Office. The loss of Niziol and Bolan has sent shockwaves through the hiking community, and they will be deeply missed by their loved ones and fellow adventurers.
