A 38-year-old Air France pilot from Fontenay-sous-Bois, France, was found dead on Friday, October 20, after a hiking incident on Mount Whitney in California, the National Park Service reported.
The department confirmed that Tom Gerbier had fallen about 1,000 feet off a cliff during his trek.
Mount Whitney, known for its impressive elevation of 14,494 feet, holds the distinction of being the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States. Situated on the eastern border of Sequoia National Park, it is a challenging hike, yet remains popular among adventure seekers.
The timeline leading up to the discovery of Gerbier’s body was detailed by the Park Service. Gerbier began his hike from Whitney Portal, near the town of Lone Pine, early on a Tuesday morning, October 17. However, concern grew when he failed to return for his scheduled flight on Wednesday, prompting a search operation led by the National Park Service and local authorities.
Responding to the situation, the Park Service, in collaboration with local authorities, deployed ground teams to the area by Thursday. During their search, evidence suggested that someone had taken a fall near a location known as “The Notch.”
A subsequent aerial search by a helicopter crew led to the discovery of a person whose attire matched that of Gerbier’s. By evening, the body was retrieved via helicopter and was later identified by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office as the missing pilot.
Air France, while confirming that Gerbier had been on a stopover in Los Angeles, issued a statement as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle. The airline expressed its condolences, saying, “The company offers its most sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.”
