Body of missing Sierra hiker found

[ERIC]

Body of missing Sierra hiker found

Published online on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009
By Jim Guy / The Fresno Bee
http://www.fresnobee.com/updates/story/1694012.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A search dog team found the body of Kenneth Wade Brunette, 73, Saturday afternoon on the eastern slope of Mount Whitney.

Brunette had been missing since Oct. 25, when he was seen on a trail to the mountain -- at 14,497 feet, the tallest peak in the contiguous United States.

Search efforts, made difficult by high winds and cold weather, began Tuesday and involved teams from Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National parks and other rescue workers from Fresno, Tulare, Inyo, Mono, Los Angeles and Contra Costa counties. A total of about 100 people and four helicopters took part in the search.

The cause of Brunette's death is under investigation. Park officials did not have information about his home town.

[frediver]

Was he solo or did he get separated from his hiking group?

[markskor]

He was solo, 73, and an experienced mountaineer...Wade
Much more at WhitneyPortalStore.com
Sad story.