Sad to Hear

One missing hiker is found dead. His partner is still missing.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif.—Searchers have found the body of a 70-year-old hiker at a remote Sierra Nevada wilderness site and are looking for his missing companion.

Sgt. Jim Byers of the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department says as many as 75 people were searching on foot and by helicopter Friday for 78-year-old Jerome Smith.

His companion, Thomas Hylton, was found at a remote campsite early Friday, a day after the men's families reported them overdue.

Byers says crews found the campsite early Friday about one mile south of Eagle Lake, just west of Lake Tahoe's Emerald Bay in the Desolation Wilderness Area. He says the area is among the most remote in the Sierras and is accessible only by foot.

Searchers believe Smith became lost while trying to get help for Hylton. Both men are from Lincoln.

My condolences to Hylton's friends and family. Lets hope Smith makes it out well.

Update: Smith does not appear to have gear with him.

Search teams are combing a remote area in the Sierra Nevada west of Lake Tahoe for a 78-year-old novice hiker missing for days in below-freezing weather without a pack or sleeping bag, El Dorado County sheriff's officials said this morning.

The man was left alone near Eagle Lake in the rugged Desolation Wilderness area after his hiking companion apparently died of natural causes at their campsite early in the week, said Sgt. Don Atkinson of the El Dorado County Sheriff's

It is still possible that he is fine. A couple in the Grand Canyon were missing for 5 days before being found alive and well.

Update 2 : Jerome Smith has been found dead.

My condolences to their friends and family.