A winter attempt on Mt. Whitney ended in tragedy when a hiker continued toward the summit alone after their partner turned back due to conditions, and did not return. Search crews later located the climber below the summit, underscoring the extreme hazards of high-altitude winter ascents and the danger of separating from your partner. Mount Whitney’s winter conditions require serious mountaineering skills, proper gear, and good decision-making to manage the risks. For the full report and context

63K views · 1K reactions | Our attempt to complete the Lowest to Highest route ended just 800 feet from the summit of Mount Whitney, but what an adventure it was! From climbing snowy chutes to battling elevation sickness, we learned invaluable skills for future snowy mountain treks. While we didn’t reach the very top this time, we’re proud of how far we made it. | Thruhikers | Facebook