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SAR Recovery at Outpost Camp 12/15/15

Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2015 1:20 pm
by maverick
Inyo County Sheriff's Dept:
On December 15th the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office received notification of a deceased 18-year old female at Outpost Camp, which is a stopping point on the route to Mt. Whitney. According to her father, who was both the hiking partner and reporting party, she had always wanted to hike the Mt. Whitney trail. Her father also indicated that both he and his daughter were experienced hikers, including hiking in winter conditions. They set out Monday mid-day with no intention of summiting; rather they just wanted to go as far as they could safely and return. By early evening they reached Outpost Camp, where they decided to camp for the evening. Her father indicated that the 18-year old had been experiencing a headache; when he woke up the following morning she was deceased.
CHP helicopter (H-80 out of Apple Valley) and two Inyo County Search and Rescue members recovered the body this afternoon. The Inyo County Coroner is working with the Orange County Coroner's office to determine cause of death.
Our deepest condolences are with the family.

More info:
http://spectrummagazine.org/article/201 ... ney-watson

Sounds like the cause may have been HACE. :(

Re: SAR Recovery at Outpost Camp 12/15/15

Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2015 6:20 am
by The Other Tom
Wow! So sad. Outpost camp is ~10,400 ft. I don't know how high they climbed before that but I would have thought 10,400 is too "low" for HACE. I guess everybody is different and may be good at altitude one day but not so good the next. My condolences.

Re: SAR Recovery at Outpost Camp 12/15/15

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 5:56 pm
by schmalz
I'd really like a follow up on this, although it seems like we rarely get them regarding backcountry deaths.

I have a hard time wrapping my brain around this being HACE based on the details of the story.

Re: SAR Recovery at Outpost Camp 12/15/15

Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2016 6:03 pm
by Ikan Mas
My condolences and prayers to the family.

Yes, I would also like to know more about this, having read some about HACE. I've had friends who got headaches and other symptoms over passes like Franklin. Hate to think they could have woke up dead.