Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Missing man on MR -- Recovered

Thurs, July 21 at 8:04 am
A search is underway for missing man, Bum "John" Lee, a 68-year old man from the Redlands area in California. Lee has been missing since Tuesday afternoon. According to the information received, Lee was attempting the Mountaineer's Route on Mt. Whitney, and was last seen above Iceberg Lake in the chute as he was ascending. CHP H-80 out of Apple Valley provided aerial reconnaissance yesterday; however Lee was not located. This morning 11 SAR members have been inserted above and below the Mountaineer's Route. If anyone has any information that may assist in this search please contact Sheriff's Dispatch as 760-878-0383.

Friday (July 22, 2016) afternoon update: At approximately 1:00 this afternoon a backpack was located north of the Mountaineer's Route on a rocky outcropping; the pack was positively identified as John Lee's.
Lee's hiking companions reported that as they were ascending Monday on what they believed was the Mountaineer's Route for a day hike; they became concerned for their safety and spent the night. In the morning the group began to descend, but Mr. Lee wanted to continue on to summit Whitney, and hike out. The hiking companions watched Mr. Lee “hang” his pack on a granite ledge, perhaps to be less cumbersome as he climbed toward the summit. Search crews are continuing their efforts near and around the location of the pack. A photo has been provided for visual context of the backpack location.

Saturday afternoon update: Additional information received today from one of the hiking companions indicated that Mr. Lee realized the route taken was difficult and his goal for departing solo Tuesday morning was to find a safe route for the party to descend. Original reports indicated that Mr. Lee wanted to continue to summit Whitney. We are following all leads. Today 38 SAR members as well as air support have actively been searching. All updates will be posted.

FINAL POSTING - Sunday evening update (July 24, 2016): After five days of an intense multiagency search effort we are all deeply saddened to report that missing hiker John Lee’s body has been located by a helicopter in Sequoia National Park at the base of the southwest slope of Mt. Whitney ~12,500 feet elevation. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Lee's family and friends during this very difficult time.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
News Release

For Immediate Release: July 24, 2016
Contact: Dana M. Dierkes
Phone: (559) 565-3131 (office) and (559) 679-2866 (cell)



Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, CA -- The body of missing hiker John Lee, a 68-year-old male from Mentone, CA, was spotted by helicopter in Sequoia National Park at the base of the southwest slope of Mt. Whitney (approximately 12,500 feet in elevation) on Sunday, July 24, 2016, at approximately 1:35 p.m. The cause of death is under investigation. Lee's remains have been transferred to the Tulare County Coroner's Office.

Approximately 98 people, 2 search dogs, and 4 helicopters helped search for Lee in the Mt. Whitney area of Sequoia National Park today. A large number of agencies, organizations, and volunteer groups assisted with the search, including: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Inyo County Sheriff's Office, Inyo County Search and Rescue, Yosemite Search and Rescue (helicopter), YODOGs--Friends of Yosemite Search and Rescue (Yosemite National Park's canine team), Marin County Search and Rescue, Bay Area Mountain Rescue Unit, China Lake Mountain Rescue Group, Contra Costa Search and Rescue, San Diego Mountain Rescue Team, California Highway Patrol (CHP H-40—a helicopter), California Air National Guard (helicopter), and Cal OES.

Background:

· Monday, July 18, 2016, at 4 a.m. - Lee and several friends started to hike from Whitney Portal to the top of Mt. Whitney and planned to return to their vehicle at the trailhead by the end of the day. The group intended to follow the Mountaineer's Route. Concerned for their safety, the group stopped and slept near the top of the Whitney-Russell Pass near the Sierra crest—approximately ½-mile from the top of Mt. Whitney.

· Tuesday, July 19, 2016, at 6:00 a.m. - Three of the members of the hiking party stayed behind while Lee continued on. Lee's hiking companions saw his pack "hanging" on a granite ledge. The hiking party waited for Lee for several hours. When Lee did not return, the rest of his group believed they would meet Lee at the car and left the area. They descended with the assistance of several experienced hikers they met along the way. They returned to the Whitney Portal trailhead around 10 p.m.

· Wednesday, July 20, 2016 – The Inyo County Sheriff's Office initiated a search. On Wednesday, CHP H-80 out of Apple Valley provided aerial reconnaissance. Searching was done by aerial reconnaissance only—no ground search teams.

· Thursday, July 21, 2016 - Inyo County Search and Rescue members were flown to search areas above and below the Mountaineer's Route on Mt. Whitney with the assistance of CHP H-80. Inyo County started to search in the area of Whitney-Russell Pass based upon initial information. More search-and-rescue members arrived to continue the search in the Mt. Russell area, Iceberg Lake area, and Arctic Lakes Basin. The Inyo County Sheriff's Office notified Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks about the missing hiker. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks provided aircraft support for Inyo County's search-and-rescue operation. Additional support was provided by: Inyo County Sheriff's Office, Inyo County Search and Rescue, China Lake Mountain Rescue Group, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Cal OES, and CHP H-80.

· Friday, July 22, 2016, at 1 p.m. - On Friday, July 22, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Inyo County Sheriff's Office, and partners continued search efforts in both the Inyo National Forest and Sequoia National Park. A backpack was located north of the Mountaineer's Route on a rocky outcropping. The pack was positively identified as belonging to Lee. Additional search-and-rescue members arrived to expand search efforts in the Mt. Russell area, Iceberg Lake area, and Arctic Lakes Basin. Support includes: Inyo County Sheriff's Office, Inyo County Search and Rescue, Marin County Search and Rescue, Bay Area Mountain Rescue Unit, Placer County Search and Rescue, Sierra Madre Search and Rescue, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, CHP H-80, California Air National Guard, and Cal OES. Search crews continued their efforts near and around the location of the pack.

· Saturday, July 23, 2016 - Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks’ and Inyo County Sheriff's Office, in cooperation with other partners, continued searching in the vicinity of Mt. Whitney for Lee. Other partners involved in the search include Inyo County Search and Rescue, Marin County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue, Bay Area Mountain Rescue Unit, Placer County Sheriff's Office Mountain Rescue Team, Placer County Search and Rescue, Sierra Madre Search and Rescue, California Air National Guard, and Cal OES. A total of 66 staff and volunteers were assigned to search efforts. Additional information received from one of Lee’s hiking companions indicated that Lee realized the route he had taken with his hiking companions was difficult and that he had departed from his hiking party to find a safe route for the party to descend. Previous reports indicated that Lee wanted to continue to summit Mt. Whitney.


Dana M. Dierkes
Public Affairs Specialist / Branch Chief, Communications and Outreach
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks