Found Deceased CA - Ling Dao, 41, Hiking Mt. Whitney, 12 June 2019

[Suglo]

Body found. RIP Ling

Press release from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Missing Hiker Found on North Slope of Mt. Whitney in
Sequoia National Park

SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS, Calif. June 19, 2019 - The body of missing hiker Ling Dao was located Tuesday afternoon on the north side of Mt. Whitney in Sequoia National Park and transported to the Ash Mountain Helibase in Sequoia National Park, where he was turned over to the Tulare County Coroner’s Office. Cause of death is under investigation.

Dao was reported missing to the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office on Friday, June 14 after not reporting for work. According to the reporting party, Dao flew into Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 11, had planned to summit Mt. Whitney on June 12, drive back to Las Vegas after summiting and catch a red-eye flight back home, to be at work on Thursday, June 13.

The Inyo County Sheriff’s Office contacted the rental car company that Dao used and was advised that Dao had returned his vehicle at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 14, but after continuing calls from family regarding Dao, the sheriff’s office decided to contact the rental company again, at which point differing information was provided. According to the rental car company’s updated information Dao had returned his vehicle on Saturday, June 15 around 11:45 a.m. A vehicle description and license plate information was requested and provided to the sheriff’s office, and later that day the rental vehicle was located in the Whitney Portal parking area, prompting search and rescue efforts to begin early on Sunday, June 16.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks’ staff was contacted to assist with search operations on Sunday, June 16. Park staff confirmed that day that Dao was not listed in the Mt. Whitney register. Search efforts were halted on June 17 due to unsafe weather conditions. On June 18 park staff received notification that the point last seen for Dao had been the summit of Mt. Whitney, at which point search by aircraft continued in the area, and the body was found and recovered.

The search area was approximately 30 square miles of high mountain terrain. The search teams included staff from Inyo County Sheriff’s Office, Inyo Search and Rescue, Mono Search and Rescue, China Lake Mountain Rescue, and aerial reconnaissance from CHP- Inland Division Air Operations, as well as Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

Back-country conditions can still be hazardous this time of year with snow instability, ice, rock slide areas, and more. For current trail conditions please visit our website www.nps.gov/seki.
Inyo County Sheriff's Office

 

[Elainera]

So sad RIP Ling.

A small consolation might be that he died doing what he loved, and he fulfilled his dream of reaching the summit.

 

[amymarie]

I’m not sure if Wikipedia is an approved source, but it seems as if unpredictable weather, altitude sickness, and black bears can all give hikers some trouble.

Mount Whitney Trail - Wikipedia

It says to travel in groups since bears are more likely to approach single travelers.

Many, many articles talk about the altitude sickness, especially on the one day hikes. So that’s probably the culprit here. It seems most people opt for the two day hikes instead so you can take your time and properly adjust to the height.

 

[PommyMommy]

How very sad. May he rest in peace.

 

[Herat]

My condolences to his friends and dearly loved ones.

RIP Ling Dao

 

[Herat]

I’m not sure if Wikipedia is an approved source, but it seems as if unpredictable weather, altitude sickness, and black bears can all give hikers some trouble.

Mount Whitney Trail - Wikipedia

It says to travel in groups since bears are more likely to approach single travelers.

Many, many articles talk about the altitude sickness, especially on the one day hikes. So that’s probably the culprit here. It seems most people opt for the two day hikes instead so you can take your time and properly adjust to the height.

At this time of year with these weather conditions there are no bears to worry about on his route. There is a traverse on the west and somewhat north side of the mountain that is very tricky - rocky and icy. It's considerably easier when there is no snow but is not the best way down with heavy snow and ice conditions, as they are now

 

[ms_x_to_the_m]

RIP Ling Dao

 

[Steelslady]

I am not surprised by this outcome. Rest in peace, Ling. Glad you were able to finish what you came to start. Condolences to his family and friends.

 

[Herat]

You'd think they use it for tracking as well. Just as a precaution. Even a sign-in/sign-out system for safety measures.

There are mutiple routes in and out, and some routes hook into the John Muir trail or even Kings Canyon NP, so it would be very difficult to have an accurate “check in / check out”

The permits are to assure the main trail is not overcrowded, which causes destruction of the campsites and the creation of dangerous trail bypasses. And, to assure that people are practicing “leave no trace” camping which means they pack out their garbage and poop - you are required have and use the poop bags they give you. You are also required to view a short movie that explains all the rules.

The permit is to protect the mountain, the water supply and the vegetation. It’s not to protect and keep track of you

 

[zecats]

There are mutiple routes in and out, and some routes hook into the John Muir trail or even Kings Canyon NP, so it would be very difficult to have an accurate “check in / check out”

The permits are to assure the mail trail is not overcrowded, which causes destruction of the campsites and the creation of dangerous trail bypasses. And, to assure that people are practicing “leave no trace” camping which means they pack out their garbage and poop - you are required have and use the poop bags they give you. You are also required to view a short movie that explains all the rules.

The permit is to protect the mountain, the water supply and the vegetation. It’s not to protect and keep track of you

Yes I get that. Thanks. I understand it sounds unrealistic. Guess I'm thinking a sign-in/out anywhere along the trails system could be useful. In this case, it was known where he went, but could have been helpful to know if he made it back down or not, especially since the car rental agency messed up with timeline.

I've followed a case or 2 where the missing hiker/climber was never found because he never told anyone where he was going. Searchers always checked registers to see if person summited or signed in.

And I know there are many trails up there. Just a thought that if people signed in and out (who's to enforce that for sure), when looking for one that goes missing, it would narrow down areas, time frames, etc.
Of course accountability should start with the individual in any case, and safety and perhaps tracking devices (if reasonable in the area of the hike) are the best bets. All MOO

 

[TatianaBarbie]

I'm so glad that Ling was found, and that all the searchers are safe. He died doing something that meant a lot to him, and may he RIP. Condolences to his family.

 

[whitelilac]

Very sad to read this. RIP Ling Dao. Condolences to all his loved ones.

 

[Herat]

From where he was found, it sounds as though he fell from a notoriously dangerous route to depart Mt Whitney back down via the Mountaineer’s Route.

This section goes along large loose rock and is easier to do in the summer after all the snow and ice are gone, but is absolutely treacherous if there is snow or ice on it as there is right now.

A 27-year old man died from falling from the same area in May of last year, also when there was still snow on the same route.

It’s very likely Mr Dao was killed by the fall and the delay in starting the search had no impact on his survival.

I hope this brings some consolation to his family