Search continues for 60-year-old man missing on Mt. Whitney

Ground and aerial crews continued to search Tuesday for a 60-year-old hiker who was missing on Mt. Whitney, the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office said.

John Likely, of Dumont, N.J., was part of a three-person group that reached Mt. Whitney’s summit Saturday. He was last seen that day wearing a red San Fransisco 49ers baseball cap, a black jacket, dark-colored shorts and a small backpack. He has gray hair and no facial hair, a news release read.

On the descent, two of Likely’s friends moved at a faster pace and with binoculars, spotted Likely below the cable rails on the 99-switchback section of Mt. Whitney. The pair continued to the Outpost Camp to spend the night, but Likely never showed. The pair notified authorities after searching for Likely into Sunday morning.

It was not unusual for the pair to move at a faster pace than Likely. The group has been hiking together for roughly 30 years, said Carma Roper, public information officer for the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff’s Office began the search for Likely on Sunday with assistance from area search and rescue teams, such as Mono County and Antelope Valley.

They received aerial support from a California Highway Patrol helicopter and the China Lake Naval Air Base in Ridgecrest. Sequoia-Kings National Park will provide aerial reconnaissance.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Inyo County Sheriff’s Dispatch at (760)-878-0383.