SummitPost.org

A 73-year old man has been missing on Mt. Whitney since Sunday, October 25.

http://bitsy.spinics.net/177

If you or anyone you know was on or near Mt. Whitney on Sunday or later, follow the link.

[edited: apparently missing since Sunday, not Tuesday]

On Tuesday????

Ah come on.... that was the day we had our latest storm.

73 y/o goes out for a "Day Hike to the Summit of Whitney" on a day that the forecast explicitly stated snow, high winds and cold temps?


This has to be a joke, right?

Unfortunately, his hike was on Sunday. He hasn't been seen since Sunday afternoon.

He was hiking on Sunday.

http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/forum ... #Post69834

http://news.sierrawave.net/eastern-sier ... -continues

Sounds like he was at Trailcrest around 3:45pm on his way up. Since he was really exhausted, it would only make sense that he spent the night in the hut but he wasn't there. I'm afraid to say it but I doubt there will be a good ending to this; it's been cold up there the last couple of days...

They dont think he reached the summit
http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/articl ... tney+hiker

Cy Kaicener wrote:They dont think he reached the summit
http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/articl ... tney+hiker

Could make sense because I don't see why he would not stay in the hut (unless he got altitude sick). On the other hand, if he was in a hurry, it would've been very easy to forget to sign the summit register altogether. I've pulled that one many times.

Unless one has the foresight to anticipate a problem, I can see why there would be absolutely NO desire to sign that register. June through September, your signing will last maybe a WEEK before it's removed from the summit. In October, the summit is less traveled for sure, but still your sign-in won't last long. Outside of winter, I suppose, there is so much turnover in the books up there that it is a complete waste of time to sign it, in my opinion. This man may have felt the same, if he in fact did reach the summit.

One time when I was there it was so cold that my fingers were frozen under the gloves and I could not have signed in no matter how much I would have wanted to.
Wade is a very experienced hiker. Here is a piece written about him which I found posted on the Whitney Portal Store website
http://mikeshikes.blogspot.com/2008/08/ ... tance.html

If he is truly a very experienced hiker, then he must've gotten a serious injury or he would've walked out. Let's hope they find him soon!!

Bad news. Condolences to the family and friends.

For Immediate Release, October 31, 2009
Contact: Adrienne Freeman, 559/565-3131

Missing Man Found Deceased After Multiple Day Search

73-year old Kenneth Wade Brunette was found deceased today at approximately 12:45 pm by searchers. He was found on the eastern slope of the mountain by a search dog team.

The search for Mr. Brunette began on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 after he failed to return from a day hike to the summit of Mt. Whitney, the tallest peak in the contiguous United States. Search efforts were complicated by extremely windy, cold conditions during the early part of the week. Approximately 100 people, including dog teams and ground searchers, and four helicopters, participated in the search.

The cause of death is under investigation.


-NPS-

Sad times. God Bless.

RIP Wade.... my sympathies to Greg, the entire Brunette family and those who called Wade friend.
john

Very tragic and sad... very sad.