Two experienced mountain climbers, Andrew Niziol and Patty Bolan, were tragically discovered deceased on May 9 after being reported missing several days earlier while attempting an “experts-only” route on Mt. Whitney in California.
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the identities of the climbers, aged 28 and 29 respectively, as reported by The Sacramento Bee.
According to details from The Los Angeles Times, Niziol, Bolan, and their friend Ethan Michael Cannaert had embarked on the demanding Mountaineer’s Route within Sequoia National Park. The group became separated during their descent from the 14,500-foot summit.
Cannaert, in a Facebook group message dedicated to Mt. Whitney enthusiasts, mentioned his plan to rendezvous with Niziol and Bolan at a known resting spot called “The Notch.” Despite waiting for over an hour, Cannaert was compelled to move downward due to harsh winds and lost sight of his companions.
Subsequently, on May 9, the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office announced via Facebook that the missing climbers had been located deceased, although specific names were withheld in the initial post.
The Inyo County Sheriff’s Office shared that Cannaert had contacted them around 8:30 p.m. on May 7 to report the disappearance of his friends. Search efforts involving helicopter and ground teams were swiftly deployed, leading to the tragic discovery of the climbers’ bodies in Tulare County, subsequently identified by the Tulare County Coroner.
Andrew Niziol’s final Instagram post on May 5 conveyed deep appreciation for his adventurous life and companionship with Bolan. In the poignant caption accompanying a photo of the two, Niziol expressed immense pride in the life he had built around climbing and shared experiences.
The loss of Andrew Niziol and Patty Bolan highlights the inherent risks of extreme mountaineering and serves as a solemn reminder of the dangers posed by challenging terrain, even for seasoned climbers.