California Attorney Identified as Hiker Who Died on Mount Whitney

Winston Chu, a 49-year-old attorney from Santa Clara, California, has been identified as the hiker found dead on Mount Whitney. The Inyo County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Chu's identity after motel staff in Lone Pine reported him missing when he failed to check out on October 20.

Deputies located Chu's vehicle at Whitney Portal and a CHP helicopter subsequently found him along the Mountaineer's Route. Recovery efforts were hampered by a storm system that brought snow and hazardous conditions. On October 25, a CHP helicopter and Inyo County Search and Rescue team retrieved Chu's body from an elevation of approximately 13,600 feet.

The Inyo County Coroner’s Office determined that Chu died from multiple traumatic injuries sustained in a fall. Prior to locating his body, officials attempted to contact Chu multiple times without success.

Chu was a graduate of Georgetown Law and had a career as a patent attorney, including over eight years at Roche Molecular Solutions in Santa Clara. He also previously worked at Shay Glenn LLP and Jackson & Co., LLP.

The Mountaineer’s Route is known for its steep terrain, loose rock, and icy slopes, requiring significant mountaineering skills, navigation experience, and appropriate gear. Mount Whitney is the tallest peak in the contiguous United States, standing at 14,505 feet.