The extensive search for a missing Canadian hiker concluded Monday with the recovery of Gursimran Singh's remains in Washington's Twin Sisters mountain range. Singh, 34, of British Columbia, had been reported missing in late June after failing to return from a hike.
The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office stated that search and rescue crews, aided by the Snohomish County Helicopter Rescue Team and the Bellingham Mountain Rescue Council, were led to the area by a possible sighting on Sunday. "Sadly, this was a recovery mission," the sheriff's office said in a statement. "Our heartfelt condolences to Gursimran's family, friends and loved ones during this painful time. We are so sorry for your loss."
Authorities initially sought public assistance on July 1 after Singh did not return home to British Columbia three days prior. Investigators identified his last known location as South Twin, one of the primary peaks in the Twin Sisters range, where he was believed to be rock scrambling. His vehicle was subsequently found on Middle Fork Road.
The search operation expanded as mountain rescue teams from across Washington joined local efforts to navigate the rugged terrain. Helicopters transported rescuers to South Twin Sister to search the Sisters Glacier on foot, while drones and aircraft from U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations conducted aerial surveillance.
Following the reported sighting on Sunday, crews returned to the mountain Monday morning and located Singh's remains. The sheriff's office expressed gratitude for all who contributed to the mission. Singh's death occurred shortly after authorities recovered the body of another overdue hiker, Steven Dorsett, in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest within Whatcom County.