Authorities have announced that they have recovered and identified the bodies of two missing hikers. The hikers were last seen embarking on a hike up California’s highest peak.
According to the Fresno Bee, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that Andrew Niziol, a 28-year-old resident of South Lake Tahoe, and Patty Bolan, a 29-year-old, were engaged in a long-term hiking expedition spanning across California.
On the evening of Monday, May 7, at approximately 8:30 p.m., Inyo County Sheriff’s Dispatch received a distress call concerning two hikers who had not returned from their expedition on Mt. Whitney.
According to officials, the hikers had planned to make their way down to the “Notch” with the goal of skiing or snowboarding back to Upper Boy Scout Lake, where they had established their camp. However, when Bolan and Niziol didn’t return to the camp after a few hours, fellow hikers in their group alerted the authorities.
The search-and-rescue team successfully recovered the bodies of two hikers who had gone missing while hiking Mount Whitney. The effort spanned over 24 hours and ultimately led to the discovery of the hikers’ remains.
Search and rescue teams immediately sprung into action, utilizing helicopters and ground teams to embark on a thorough search for the hikers who had gone missing.
According to the Fresno Bee, search crews discovered two “fall victims” at an elevation of 13,200 feet on the north face of Mount Whitney, five days after the couple had gone missing.
Niziol and Bolan took to social media to share their recent adventures. Just six days before their Mount Whitney expedition, the couple embarked on a hiking and snowboarding trip around Mount Shasta. Unfortunately, they were unable to reach the summit of the Northern California peak due to strong winds.
“We didn’t reach the peak this time due to the weather, but our time on Shasta was still amazing! It’s truly incredible to have someone to spontaneously embark on these adventures with. You bring so much happiness into my life! Looking forward to our upcoming climb on Mt. Whitney in just a few days!” Niziol expressed in a Facebook post on May 2nd.
Detectives from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office were sent to Lone Pine in Inyo to retrieve the bodies, according to a spokesperson from the Tulare County Coroner’s Office. The Fresno Bee reported this on Thursday morning.
Officials from Tulare County have informed Fox News Digital that they currently do not possess any additional information regarding the circumstances surrounding the hiker’s tragic demise. However, they have confirmed that the Tulare County examiners will be assuming control of the investigation.
“In hindsight, if I had the opportunity to travel back in time and reveal to my 12-year-old self the current state of my life, I would undoubtedly make my younger self immensely proud. The reality I am living now is a manifestation of the dreams I have cherished for the past 15 years. Finally, I have surrounded myself with individuals who not only understand and appreciate these incredible experiences, but also share in my gratitude,” Niziol expressed in a heartfelt Facebook post just five days ago. “I am immensely grateful to @type2kyle for curating the routes and organizing the plans, as well as @p.bolan for being the most enjoyable companion I have ever encountered.”
Mount Whitney, with its highest peak reaching 14,494 feet, is situated within the boundaries of the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. The National Parks Service website states that it is recognized as the tallest mountain in the “lower 48” states.
According to the National Parks Service, a permit system has been implemented for Mt. Whitney to minimize the impact of day-hikers on the mountain’s backcountry. This is because Mt. Whitney is the most climbed peak in the Sierra Nevada. Therefore, all hikers, including day-hikers, must obtain a permit when entering the Mt. Whitney zone.
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