Simply weeks after a hiker slipped and fell to their loss of life on Mount Whitney, a pair of incidents led to a few rescues on the height this month.
Mt. Whitney (Photograph: m-kojot / iStock through Getty)
Revealed November 11, 2025 10:32PM
Rescuers saved three hikers from the decrease 48’s highest peak over the course of 5 days this month, simply weeks after one other climber died in a fall en path to its summit
On November 2, Inyo County Search and Rescue (SAR) acquired a name a couple of hiker who was having a medical emergency at Path Camp on Mt. Whitney. As group members labored to evacuate the hiker, a second close by hiker reported feeling “unwell,” and requested help. The group flew each stricken hikers out on a California Freeway Patrol helicopter and transported them to Lone Pine for medical analysis
5 days later, a hiker was making an attempt to climb the identical peak when he left the primary climbing route close to the height’s notorious 99 Switchbacks when he slipped and fell, struggling accidents. Two hikers heard his cries for assist and got here to his aspect. After reaching the hiker, one of many two descended about 3.5 miles to the Outpost Camp. There, she discovered somebody with a satellite tv for pc communicator to name for assist, then ascended to hitch the injured hiker.
In line with an Inyo County Search and Rescue Fb publish, “CHP Helicopter H-42 returned to help, assembly eight SAR volunteers in Lone Pine. One rescuer was flown to Path Camp and one other was hoisted to the accident web site.” With assist from the hikers, the group managed to get the injured topic right into a rolling litter and hoist him right into a helicopter.
Even in ultimate circumstances, Whitney is a tough hike. The preferred route on the mountain includes a 21.2-mile out and again hike with greater than 6,000 ft of elevation acquire. In good climate, the journey takes most hikers 14 to fifteen hours. However when circumstances change and winter sweeps over the Sierra, the idyllic hike can shortly flip severe. These newest incidents come simply over two weeks after a hiker, since recognized by household as Paul “PJ” Ortiz, Jr., slipped and fell to his loss of life close to the 99 Switchbacks.
Between Could 1 and November 1, the US Forest Service points 100 dayhiking permits and 60 in a single day permits per day for the height. The most recent rescues happened the week after allow restrictions ended.
In response to the most recent rescues, Inyo County Search and Rescue issued a listing of security reminders for hikers and climbers who plan to recreate on the favored peak, urging hikers to acclimate correctly previous to climbing to excessive elevations, carry a satellite tv for pc communication gadget since cell service is unreliable within the space, and train excessive warning whereas making an attempt to climb the mountain.
“This time of 12 months poses severe dangers. The higher sections of the Essential Path—particularly the 99 switchbacks—are lined in ice and intensely slippery. Mt. Whitney just isn’t an off-the-cuff hike,” the group wrote.
1000’s of hikers try and summit Mt. Whitney yearly, with estimates suggesting that solely a couple of third of them summit. Components like poor conditioning, inclement climate and problem with altitude generally contribute to unsuccessful makes an attempt.
