Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Two climbers recovered on Mountaineers Route.

Inyo County Sheriff report: https://www.facebook.com/InyoCounty...axbmFiQRFTFWI6l&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R]-R


Here's an LA Times article... https://www.latimes.com/california/...MyhUmVB6nQrbSMgKfHqpEUuiINfPVP-VziMRyXRB

Sacramento Bee: https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/article288435189.html (behind a paywall, unfortunately)

Tuesday, May 7, 2024:
Three had summited from the Notch, they became separated descending the Final 400 (back down to the Notch). The first hiker waited at the notch, but the others never arrived.

Not sure why he waited until 8:30 pm to report. Also... It's never a good idea to move ahead and leave people behind.

Apparently they slipped and fell down the north slope of Mt Whitney, toward Arctic Lake, since recovery was turned over to Tulare County authorities. There is a notorious steep icy section at the bottom of the Final 400, one slip and it's over. That section must be traversed if they descended via the (not so) "easy walk-off". Or else they slipped someplace while descending the Final 400. Both descents encounter that steep icy spot.

May they rest in peace. It is so sad to learn of Whitney fatalities.

edit: more discussion here: Mountaineering Route Final 400 and Easy Walkoff Fall Zones

A third hiker was hit by rockfall in the North Fork Lone Pine Creek area on a guided climb, and died May 12, 2024.

Hiker killed by falling rock near Mount Whitney
Inyo County Sheriff's Office report