Current news release from SEKI:

Quote:
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks News Release

For Immediate Release: October 21, 2010
Contact: Dana M. Dierkes
Phone Number: (559) 565-3131

Three Hikers Rescued and Two Additional Hikers
Missing in/Around Mount Whitney Area

Inyo County Sheriff's Office and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are still conducting a multi-faceted search and rescue operation in/around the Mount Whitney area. Three people have been rescued from Mount Whitney. However, the search and rescue operation has been expanded to include two additional missing men.

Three men (Phillip Michael Abraham, age 34; Stevan James Filips, age 43; and Dale Clymens, age 45), all from the Omaha, Nebraska area, were rescued from Mount Whitney at approximately 12 noon on Thursday, October 21. The group had originally planned a day hike to Mount Whitney on Monday, October 18, but had been trapped in the Mount Whitney Hut in a snowstorm since then. Three National Park Service (NPS) search and rescue personnel hiked in to the site. Both the NPS staff and a California National Guard helicopter reached the men at approximately the same time. All three men were able to walk and move around during a quick general health assessment by park personnel. Various parties assisted with this search and rescue operation, including California National Guard and Yosemite Search and Rescue.

Two additional hikers, a father and son who were not part of the previously missing group, had planned a three-day, 36-mile cross-country loop in/around the Mount Whitney area starting and ending at the Whitney Portal. The group planned to return on Tuesday, October 19. The missing men include Sinh Baghsohi, who is 27 years old, is approximately 6'5" tall and weighs 287 lbs, as well as his father, Baghsohi, Sr., first name unknown, who is approximately 6' tall and weighs approximately 180 lbs. Both men are originally from Iran, but their current city/state is unknown. No photos of the men are available yet. The two men had hiked in with a friend. The friend became ill and hiked out alone. If you have seen or come in contact with either of the two missing individuals, please call the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Incident Command Post at 559-565-3117.

Approximately 45 people have been assigned to the two search and rescue incidents. Search operations are still being hampered by snow with accumulations between 1-3 feet.

--NPS--