Two Hikers Found Dead on Mount Whitney

The bodies of two missing hikers, Andrew Niziol and Patty Bolan, were recovered on the north face of Mount Whitney after a five-day search. The couple had been on a long-term hiking trip across California.

The Tulare County Sheriff's Office announced the tragic discovery of two missing hikers, Andrew Niziol, 28, and Patty Bolan, 29, who were last seen hiking up Mount Whitney, California's highest peak. The couple's bodies were found on the north face of the mountain at an elevation of 13,200 feet after a 24-hour search-and-rescue effort.

Niziol and Bolan were on a long-term hiking trip across the state of California when they embarked on their Mount Whitney trek. Around 8:30 p.m. on Monday, May 7, Inyo County Sheriff's Dispatch received a call regarding the overdue hikers.

Officials reported that the hikers intended to descend to the "Notch" and ski/snowboard back to Upper Boy Scout Lake, where they had set up camp. However, when Bolan and Niziol failed to return after several hours, concerned fellow hikers notified authorities.

Search and rescue teams were immediately deployed, utilizing helicopters and foot teams to search for the missing hikers. Five days later, a search crew discovered two "fall victims," leading to the tragic discovery of the couple's bodies.

Prior to their Mount Whitney trip, Niziol and Bolan had shared their adventures on social media. Six days before the fateful hike, they posted about hiking and snowboarding around Mount Shasta, expressing their disappointment at not summiting the peak due to high winds.

"We may not have made it to the peak due to weather (this time), but it still was a great time on Shasta! It's so incredible to have someone to do all these amazing things with on a whim. You make me so happy! Now onto Mt. Whitney in a few days!" Niziol wrote in a Facebook post on May 2.

Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff's Office retrieved the bodies from Lone Pine in Inyo on Thursday morning. Officials stated that Tulare County examiners would be handling the investigation.

Mount Whitney, standing at 14,494 feet, is the tallest mountain in the "lower 48" states, located within the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Due to its popularity as a hiking destination, a permit system is in place to mitigate the impact of day-hikers on the mountain's backcountry.

Authorities did not provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the hikers' deaths. The Tulare County Sheriff's Office did not respond to requests for comment.

The tragic loss of Andrew Niziol and Patty Bolan serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with wilderness adventures. Their passion for the outdoors and their love for each other will forever be remembered.