Hiker Dies After Fall on Sierra Nevada Mountain, Search Team Reports
Brian Seibert, 53, was found by rescuers more than 72 hours after his last communication, which indicated he was descending Mount Morgan.
A hiker identified as Brian Seibert, 53, died in California after a fall while climbing Mount Morgan in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. His body was recovered more than 72 hours after he was last heard from.
Seibert was reported missing on Monday morning after he failed to return to his vehicle following his ascent of the 13,754-foot peak. His last known communication was a text message sent Sunday evening around 7 p.m., indicating he was on his way down the mountain.
A rescue base was established at a nearby campground, and initial search efforts on Monday yielded no sign of Seibert. The Mono County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team expanded their operation on Tuesday.
During the extended search, a rescue aircraft identified an anomaly at the base of the Grand Central Couloir, a steep gorge east of the summit. This anomaly was identified as Seibert. Rescuers determined that he sustained an unsurvivable fall from a cliff ledge.
Due to the challenging terrain, the recovery could not be completed that evening. Seibert's body was recovered the following morning by a Yosemite National Park helicopter and a crew from Yosemite National Park's Search and Rescue team.
The search team logged a total of 305 hours over three days. Seibert was described by the rescue team as a "peak bagger," a term used for hikers who aim to summit a collection of mountains. The team extended condolences to Seibert's family and the local community.
