Found Deceased CA - Taylor Rodriguez, 29, overdue hiker, wanted to summit Mt. Whitney, poss w/o adequate gear, limited hiking exp, Inyo County, 30 Dec 2024

[GuyfromCanada]

Search for Overdue Hiker on Mt. Whitney: Request for Public Assistance

On January 2, 2025, the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an overdue hiker, Taylor Rodriguez, on Mt. Whitney.

Rodriguez is described as a 5’9” male, weighing approximately 160 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. It is believed he was attempting to summit Mt. Whitney on December 30, 2024.

At this time, it is unclear which route Rodriguez intended to take, and there are concerns that he may be without adequate gear and has limited hiking experience.

The Inyo County Sheriff’s Office and Inyo Search and Rescue are seeking assistance from climbers or hikers who were on the Whitney Trail or Mountaineer’s Route between December 30, 2024, and January 2, 2025. If you have seen Rodriguez or have any information that could assist in locating him, please contact the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office at 760-878-0383.

https://www.facebook.com/inyosar/posts/pfbid02vK1Rif13yWJAVu3xX6RoZA3DVLf6awZJtmVeLCGcX13mqJGqur2koDxZuxczbXvml

https://www.facebook.com/InyoCountySheriffsOffice/posts/pfbid02hRaHEqEc3uNzqfaRbB3fhYqfWMhp6YCXcm4Mwx732B28yGnTRD9Q8ZvxAepsxa31l

JAN 4

Taylor Rodriguez, a 29-year-old from San Antonio, set out alone Monday, according to the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office, despite trails slick with ice, an intimidating weather forecast and experience that friends said was limited to an indoor climbing gym.

More at Crews search for Texas man missing on Mt. Whitney

At 14,494 feet high, Mount Whitney is the highest peak in the continental United States, the National Park Service said.

https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/article298006038.html#storylink=cpy

This is extremely concerning. I really hope that Taylor is somewhere safe.

 

[GraceG]

"Taylor has limited hiking experience". Mt. Whitney is one of those rare high peaks that you can hike to without any mountaineering skills, but it is NOT for an inexperienced hiker in the winter. Serious hikers will tell you flat out that if you don't have real world experience in mountaineering, don't hike Whitney in the winter. People new to serious alpine hiking who have hiked it spend months preparing for it. At the very least, in addition to the usual clothing wet/cold weather gear/food/water/tent, etc. you'll need an ice axe, crampons, snow shoes and possibly skies, an avalance beacon, probe and snow shovel. I hate to say, but this one will NOT end well, and I can only hope and pray search and rescue personnel stay safe while looking for him. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5333235.pdf

 

[Herat]

What's interesting is that his sister has summited Mr. Whitney 8 times.

"Susana Guerra, who is Jaramillo’s sister, has summited Whitney eight times and said that even with her understanding of the terrain, she had to be rescued last spring. She said it was difficult to imagine Rodriguez in the snow and dark.

“He can’t have made it far,” she said"

*Note that earlier in the article Susana Guerra is referred to as Rodriquez's aquaintance.

“A lot of us don’t understand what made him get in his car, drive to Whitney and kind of do this on a whim,” said Susana Guerra, an acquaintance of Rodriguez and veteran hiker who has climbed the mountain repeatedly. “He’s such a smart kid, really smart, and it’s hard to understand what he was thinking.”"

Crews search for Texas man missing on Mt. Whitney

Inyo County crews are searching Mt. Whitney for Taylor Rodriguez of San Antonio, who went missing last week.

www.latimes.com

 

[Herat]

Sadly, Taylor Rodriquez has been found dead on the Mt. Whitney trail

His location implies he was trying the Mountaineer's route, which is for experienced winter and ice climbers only, and is never recommended in winter. His location is not on the main trail to the Whitney summit.

https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/mount-whitney-hiker-missing-nearly-week-20014154.php

 

[iamshadow21]

Sadly, Taylor Rodriquez has been found dead on the Mt. Whitney trail

His location implies he was trying the Mountaineer's route, which is for experienced winter and ice climbers only, and is never recommended in winter. His location is not on the main trail to the Whitney summit.

https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/mount-whitney-hiker-missing-nearly-week-20014154.php

Unfortunately, mountains are unforgiving even to experienced climbers with the best of preparation. At least his family didn't have to wait long to know.

Sleep well, Taylor.

 

[Tower]

What's interesting is that his sister has summited Mr. Whitney 8 times.

"Susana Guerra, who is Jaramillo’s sister, has summited Whitney eight times and said that even with her understanding of the terrain, she had to be rescued last spring. She said it was difficult to imagine Rodriguez in the snow and dark.

“He can’t have made it far,” she said"

*Note that earlier in the article Susana Guerra is referred to as Rodriquez's aquaintance.

“A lot of us don’t understand what made him get in his car, drive to Whitney and kind of do this on a whim,” said Susana Guerra, an acquaintance of Rodriguez and veteran hiker who has climbed the mountain repeatedly. “He’s such a smart kid, really smart, and it’s hard to understand what he was thinking.”"

Crews search for Texas man missing on Mt. Whitney

Inyo County crews are searching Mt. Whitney for Taylor Rodriguez of San Antonio, who went missing last week.

www.latimes.com

I know this is an old post, but I’m just reading about Mr. Rodriguez for the first time. His sister is not the person who summitted 8 times. Susana Guerra is the sister of his ex-girlfriend (Ms. Jaramillo) from over 10 years ago and as you later note, Susana was not his sister but an acquaintance.

RIP Taylor.

 

[HmmMysterious]

Here's the obituary of Taylor Rodriguez with numerous photos of him. Rest in peace Taylor.

Taylor Rodriguez - ForeverMissed.com Online Memorials

 

[caradana]

If I could gently suggest that this gentleman may have understood his own choices, in a way that is deeply painful to consider.
My condolences to the family, friends and colleagues who adored him.

 

[Tricia]

Our new Websleuths server is making things faster and better than ever before. Plus, we don't have those obnoxious ads anymore.
If you enjoy what we do on Websleuths and don't want to see those headache-inducing, soul-sucking (I'm being dramatic, but they were awful) advertisements return, please take a moment and subscribe to DNA SOLVES.COM. By subscribing and making a monthly donation, you are helping families get the answers they deserve about their missing loved ones, and you can be assured we can continue to improve your Websleuths experience. CLICK HERE AND SUBSCRIBE TO DNA SOLVES
Thank you,
Tricia
P.S. If you want to know more or have questions, CLICK HERE. Please do not post on this thread.