Mt. Whitney. Photo: Ross Stone/Unsplash
Severe weather complicated a multi-day effort to recover the body of a hiker who fell to his death along Mt. Whitney’s treacherous 99 Switchbacks. The hiker, who has since been identified as Paul Jonathan Ortiz Jr., was found dead around midday on Saturday, October 25. Another hiker by the name of Wes Ostgaard had passed Ortiz along the same trail but decided to turn back due to “difficult conditions.” It was on his way back down the trail that Ostgaard discovered the dead hiker’s body, prompting the days-long effort by Inyo County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SAR).
“This was my fourth time up Whitney. I have made this trip with difficult conditions, but we had to turn back,” Ostgaard said. “Winds were extremely intense, and with the recent snowfall, the wind was blasting snow in our faces, covering the trail, and in many cases, caused the trail to become invisible.”
“Inyo SAR quickly assembled three rescuers who met CHP Helicopter H-80 from Apple Valley at the Lone Pine Airport at 3:30 PM. Unfortunately, high winds prevented the helicopter from approaching the subject’s location, and the recovery was postponed,” they reported, adding that officials finally confirmed the death a day later on Sunday.
Sunday’s SAR effort was again halted after rescuers attempted to hike seven miles down to Ortiz’s location. High winds put that attempt on hold, as well. Finally, on Monday, weather conditions let up enough that they were able to reach Ortiz’s body and bring him to the Inyo County Coroner’s Office.
Inyo County SAR and Inyo County Sheriff’s Office have since reminded the public that Mt. Whitney’s already experiencing extreme winter-like conditions that have elevated the dangers of hiking along the Main Trail. The 99 Switchbacks section, in particular, are a two-plus mile stretch that gains 1,8000 feet of elevation that zig zags upwards.
“Mount Whitney is already experiencing winter conditions, including snow and ice, very low temperatures, and frequent windstorms,” officials said. “The Main Trail is no longer a casual hike but a mountaineering endeavor. The 99 Switchbacks are especially icy and slippery and should not be attempted without proper equipment, experience, and preparation.”
