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Inyo SAR Incident (Mount Humphreys) 6/11

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2020 10:29 am
by acorad
Inyo County Sheriff's Dept:
Mount Humphreys (above Bishop), CA. 06-11-2020 - On 06-09-2020, an experienced local Bishop climber and skier set out to ascend the North Couloir on Mount Humphreys, one of the prominent peaks in the Sierra Nevada and the highest peak in the Bishop area. He has summited the mountain several times by multiple routes. His route this time consisted of climbing the North Couloir, descend the East Arete, and return that evening.

When he did not return, friends set out to look for him. They located his vehicle at the remote trailhead but did not find him and spent the night. Inyo County Sheriff's Office was notified and Search and Rescue began planning an operation.

The morning of June 10, multiple Inyo SAR members drove to the trailhead prepared to climb the peak and search the area. CHP - Inland Division Air Operations, helicopter H-80, assisted with aerial reconnaissance.

At about 9:30 AM, the missing subject's friends located him deceased on the snowfield at the base of the North Couloir. Inyo SAR was notified and with the help of H-80 and his friends, brought the climber back home to Bishop. It appears he fell on June 9 while ascending the steep snow chute.

Inyo SAR members wish to share this important and heartfelt message with the public: “The decedent was a well-known and respected Eastern Sierra community member, father, husband, friend to many, and mountain person. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this very difficult time.