Search begins for 60-year-old hiker missing on Mt. Whitney
Authorities searched Monday for a 60-year-old man separated from his group over the weekend during a hike on Mt. Whitney.
The Inyo County Sheriff’s Office identified the missing hiker as John Likely of Dumont, N.J. He has not been seen since Saturday.
Likely was last seen wearing a red San Francisco 49ers ball cap, a black jacket, dark-colored shorts and a small backpack. He has gray hair.
He was with two others but hiked at a slower pace on the down trail, which was not uncommon, they told the sheriff’s office.
The pair waited for Likely at Trail Camp and watched him maneuver the switchbacks with their binoculars. The group decided to continue to the Outpost Camp, where they waited and planned to spend the night.
Likely never made it to the Outpost Camp, prompting the pair to search for him Saturday night into Sunday morning. The Inyo County Search and Rescue ground crews responded with help from the Mono County and China Lake Mountain rescue crews. A California Highway Patrol helicopter is assisting in the search.
Another 60-year-old hiker fell to his death last Labor Day weekend after reaching Mt. Whitney’s summit.
Anyone with information about Likely is asked to call sheriff’s dispatch at 760-878-0383.
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