Third hiker killed on Mount Whitney in five days

Snow covers Mount Whitney after snowstorms blanketed the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains near Lone Pine, California in February 2019.

A hiker on the east flank of Mount Whitney was killed by falling rocks Sunday, the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office said.

The death was the third on Whitney in five days: On May 7, two hikers were found dead near the 14,505-foot peak in the eastern Sierra Nevada.

The most recent accident was reported on the morning of May 12th. The sheriff’s office was notified that a hiker was seriously injured in Ebersbacher Ledges, an area along the north fork of Lone Pine Creek below Lower Boy Scout Lake.

A California Highway Patrol helicopter crew brought a search team member to the site and it was determined that the hiker had died. The body was taken to Lone Pine.

Ebersbacher Ledges is located at approximately 9,600 feet elevation on the Mountaineer’s Route, a more direct and challenging alternative to the hiking trail to the summit. The route is a Class 3 climb, meaning some hand and foot climbing is required.

No cause of death was announced in last week’s accident. The two hikers had reportedly planned to ski or snowboard from the Notch near the top of the Mountaineer’s Route to their campsite at Upper Boy Scout Lake.

A statement from the sheriff’s office on Monday said: “The mountain is experiencing early spring conditions with treacherous, steep snow, loose rock and variable weather. Parties venturing onto Mt Whitney should stay together, turn back before deteriorating conditions become uncontrollable, make responsible decisions and be prepared and fit.”

For more information, visit The Mercury News

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