After days of searching for a missing hiker in Kings Canyon National Park, the search has ended with good news. John Williams, 67, of Bishop, California, hiked out of the park on his own on Sunday, October 2nd. He was over a week overdue from his 104-mile trek through the Sierras, after departing on September 17th. When he hadn’t shown up after he was due back on September 27th, search crews began looking for the hiker.
All too often, these stories end in tragedy, or are never resolved. Williams is an experienced hiker and was well-prepared for his trek, but had not planned for the extra week in the wilderness. Fortunately, he was able to make his food stretch an extra week, and he was in good health when he hiked out.
There are many unanswered questions still, most notably being the lack of explanation for being overdue. After the search was resolved, it was discovered that he was even more overdue than originally thought. Williams had planned to exit the park on September 23rd, a full four days before search crews began looking for him. All told, the park had 45 people involved in the search for Williams, and neighboring counties had also sent crews to assist in the search.
Press release available here.
Having just gone over Taboose Pass that same week, the weather was so beautiful and the conditions were perfect. I can understand why he’d want to stay out there longer – especially since he had the food. I brought food home and could have easily extended another week – except for my worried wife and my job. He’s a lucky man.