Missing climber possibly found; hikers still missing
Personnel from the Inyo County Search and Rescue Team located the remains of a climber Saturday near the base of Thunderbolt Peak, on the Inyo National Forest side of the border with Kings Canyon National Park. While confirmation is pending, the body is believed to be that of Thomas Fennessy, 55, reported missing in the area on Thursday, Aug. 10.
SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS — Personnel from the Inyo County Search and Rescue Team located the remains of a climber Saturday near the base of Thunderbolt Peak, on the Inyo National Forest side of the border with Kings Canyon National Park. While confirmation is pending, the body is believed to be that of Thomas Fennessy, 55, reported missing in the area on Thursday, Aug. 10.
Fennesy was one of three people that were missing, according to the National Park Service. Jie Song and Yinan Wang have not been found. They were last seen on Aug. 6 at the junction of Crystal Cave Road and Generals Highway in the Sequoia National Park after attending a Crystal Cave Tour.
The pair intended to continue north to Kings Canyon National Park, stay the night in Fresno, and had reservations in Yosemite National Park on Monday, Aug. 7. They did not show up for their Yosemite reservation.
They are driving a white 2012 Ford Focus Sedan, Plate # 6XMM431.
The search related to Fennessy began Thursday. The Inyo County Sheriff’s Office and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks have been conducting joint search operations since Thursday. California Highway Patrol aircraft from Victorville and Fresno regions also provided assistance. Due to the highly technical nature of the terrain, assistance in searching for the missing party was solicited from the local climbing community as well.
Fennessy was last seen early in the day on Wednesday, Aug. 9, when he departed from companions at Sam Mack Meadow in Inyo National Forest, intending to complete the Thunderbolt Peak to Mount Sill Traverse, which is the border between Inyo National Forest and Kings Canyon National Park. His companions remained in camp, and reported him overdue the following day.