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Body of 75-year-old hiker found on Mt. Whitney

The view from Trail Crest, looking down on Guitar Lake, a spot along the Mt. Whitney trail. A 75-year-old hiker's remains were found on the mountain.
(Mary Forgione / Los Angeles Times)
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The body of a missing 75-year-old hiker has been found on Mt. Whitney in Sequoia National Park, officials said.

Dawson Johnson, a resident of Redwater, Texas, was believed to have fallen in a rocky steep area during a solo hike between Guitar Lake and Mt. Whitney on Tuesday, officials said. His remains were spotted by a helicopter on the mountain’s northern slope and later delivered to the Tulare County coroner’s office.

Johnson was reported missing by his wife Wednesday when he did not return as expected to Lower Crabtree Meadow from Mt. Whitney, the tallest mountain in the continental United States.

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Another hiker’s remains on Mt. Whitney were found in June. John Likely, 60, of Dumont, N.J., died after falling 50 feet into a steep chute near Mirror Lake. Authorities said they believe Likely saw the lake and tried to take a more direct route to his destination, Outpost Camp, before falling.

Follow me on Twitter for more breaking news: @ronlin

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