Air France Pilot Falls to Death Hiking on Mount Whitney in California's Sequoia National Park

38-year-old Tom Gerbier, an experienced mountaineer and ultra runner, was on a stopover for his Air France flight in Los Angeles when he embarked on his ill-fated hike; his tragic death marks the second fatality this year at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

Tom Gerbier, a 38-year-old Air France pilot and experienced mountaineer, tragically fell 1,000 feet to his death while hiking Mount Whitney in California's Sequoia National Park.
Gerbier, who was on stopover for a flight in Los Angeles, embarked on the hike during his off-time and was reported missing when he didn't turn up for his return flight.
The Inyo County Sheriff's Office led the search and rescue efforts, conducting flyovers of Mount Whitney and deploying ground teams when Gerbier was not located from the air.
Rescuers on the Mountaineering Route found evidence suggesting a hiker may have fallen off a cliff in an area known as 'The Notch'; a subsequent helicopter search discovered a body matching Gerbier's description.
This tragic incident marks the second fatality this year at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks; Gerbier's name has been released to the public after confirmation from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities have issued reminders to the public about the high technical skill required to climb Mount Whitney, urging would-be hikers to consider their abilities honestly and hire a guiding service if necessary.