A hiker has died on Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States, after his climbing partner turned back. The hiker's body was discovered by the Inyo County Search and Rescue team on Monday morning on the mountain's north face, below the final section of the summit.
The two hikers began their ascent late Saturday night and continued into Sunday. At approximately 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, the hiker, whose identity has not yet been released, decided to continue alone while his partner turned back. When the hiker did not return, a search was initiated by SAR, involving six rescuers and a California Highway Patrol helicopter. The deceased hiker was found within Tulare County's jurisdiction, and the sheriff's office was notified.