Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Mt Humphreys accident

https://www.facebook.com/InyoCountySheriffsOffice/photos/a.297537033762204/1557043731144855/

Mount Humphreys (above Bishop), CA. 06-11-2020 - On 06-09-2020, an experienced local Bishop climber and skier set out to ascend the North Couloir on Mount Humphreys, one of the prominent peaks in the Sierra Nevada and the highest peak in the Bishop area. He has summited the mountain several times by multiple routes. His route this time consisted of climbing the North Couloir, descend the East Arete, and return that evening.

When he did not return, friends set out to look for him. They located his vehicle at the remote trailhead but did not find him and spent the night. Inyo County Sheriff's Office was notified and Search and Rescue began planning an operation.

The morning of June 10, multiple Inyo SAR members drove to the trailhead prepared to climb the peak and search the area. CHP - Inland Division Air Operations, helicopter H-80, assisted with aerial reconnaissance.

At about 9:30 AM, the missing subject's friends located him deceased on the snowfield at the base of the North Couloir. Inyo SAR was notified and with the help of H-80 and his friends, brought the climber back home to Bishop. It appears he fell on June 9 while descending the steep snow chute.

Inyo SAR members wish to share this important and heartfelt message with the public: “The decedent was a well-known and respected Eastern Sierra community member, father, husband, friend to many, and mountain person. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this very difficult time.”

Wow! I did that back in 1995 with a different outcome. Sorry to see anyone hurt, let alone killed, in the backcountry.

Bob - this was a higher level of difficulty couloir in that sheet you sent me.

Ben, the first time I climbed that couloir, the bergschrund was slightly overhanging. The snow was perfect: dense and solid, but not ice. I climbed the overhang on the way up and went around it on the way back down. A few weeks later, I brought a friend and we went up the couloir and down the East Arete. The similarity is eerie.