LONE PINE, Calif. — The bodies of two hikers who went missing while hiking California’s highest peak, Mount Whitney, have been recovered and identified, according to authorities. The missing hikers, identified as Andrew Niziol, 28, of South Lake Tahoe, and Patty Bolan, 29, were on a long-term hiking trip across the state of California, officials from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.
On Monday, May 7, the Inyo County Sheriff’s Dispatch received a call regarding the overdue hikers on Mt. Whitney. The couple had reportedly intended to descend to the “Notch” and ski/snowboard back to their campsite at Upper Boy Scout Lake. However, after failing to return to camp, fellow hikers alerted authorities.
A 24-hour search-and-rescue effort was launched, involving helicopter and foot teams scouring the area for the missing hikers. Five days later, the couple’s bodies were discovered on the north face of Mount Whitney at an elevation of 13,200 feet. Search crews had identified them as “fall victims.”
Social media posts made by Niziol and Bolan revealed that prior to their Mount Whitney trip, they had attempted to hike and snowboard around Mount Shasta. Unsuccessful due to high winds, the couple expressed excitement about their upcoming adventure to Mount Whitney.
Detectives from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to retrieve the bodies in Lone Pine, Inyo County. Tulare County examiners will take over the investigation, although no further details about the circumstances surrounding the hiker’s deaths have been released.
Mount Whitney, located within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, boasts a peak of 14,494 feet and is considered the tallest mountain in the “lower 48” states. Due to its popularity, the National Parks Service has implemented a permit system for hikers, including day-hikers, to mitigate the impact on the mountain’s backcountry.
The tragic incident on Mount Whitney serves as a reminder of the inherent risks associated with outdoor activities. The bodies of Niziol and Bolan have been recovered, and authorities are diligently investigating the circumstances surrounding their deaths. As the highest peak in the contiguous United States, Mount Whitney continues to attract adventurers from all over, but hikers are urged to exercise caution and adhere to safety protocols when exploring the mountain’s challenging terrain.