On Friday, June 28th, search teams recovered a deceased 69-year-old male solo hiker from above Paradise. This hike was one of several recent conditioning trips he had taken to prepare for a summit climb of Mount Rainier.
The park initiated search efforts on Thursday, June 27th, in response to an overdue hiker report from family members. The family believed he had set out for a day hike to Pebble Creek on Wednesday, June 26th. Weather conditions on Wednesday were unsettled with thunderstorms bringing rain, sleet, hail, and lightning to Paradise. Ground teams found no sign of the missing hiker during searches on Thursday. The hiker was located by aerial search late Thursday afternoon near the base of the Nisqually chute. Weather conditions did not favor recovery by helicopter until Friday morning.
No further information will be released by the National Park Service while this incident is under investigation. The Pierce County Medical Examiner may provide additional information.
Mount Rainier National Park staff and Northwest Helicopters participated in the search efforts with planning assistance and standby resources provided by the Mountain Rescue Association.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
