On Monday, two overdue climbers on Mt. Humphreys,
just west of Bishop, led to an emotional roller coaster for parents and
rescuers. The two climbers, Bishop High
School student, Brad Cox and Home Street Middle School teacher, Jonathan Willy, left to climb the almost
14,000 foot peak above town at 2:00 in the morning on Sunday but had not
returned by Sunday night.

The young mans father went to the trailhead to wait and
called Inyo County Search and Rescue when the two climbers failed to return to
their car Sunday night as planned.

Early this morning volunteer rescuers started hiking toward
the peak before sunrise. Once the sun came up, a CHP helicopter was called in
to assist but high and irregular winds limited their ability to fly near the
peak to search. The wind conditions made it difficult for the pilots to fly
rescuers into the area as well.

The rescuers also left a radio and a note on the hood of the
car that the overdue climbers had left at the trailhead. With worried parents, worried
rescuers, worried students, and worried co-workers, all were relieved when the voice
of one of the missing climbers called out over the air at about 1:00 in the
afternoon. The two had spent an unplanned and cold night out and hiked out on
their own.

 

 

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