Adventure sports have a significant element of risk and danger attached to them. There is a large section of people who refuse to indulge in activities such as hiking, skydiving, and biking stunts solely cause they like living. At the other extreme end are people who live for the thrill and adventure and will not think twice before participating in such blood-rushing and adrenaline-pumping activities.

One such adventure enthusiast was a 38-year-old pilot from Air France, who set on a hiking adventure to Mount Whitney. The mountain is situated in California and is part of the Sierra Nevada range. The hiking enthusiast set out for an adventure trip but unfortunately, all his plans went down the drain when he met with an unfortunate series of events.

Mount Whitney hiking trip turns into tragedy

Tom Gerbier of Fontenay-sous-Bois, France, a successful and veteran pilot, set out for the hike from Whitney Portal near the town of Lone Pine during the early morning of Tuesday. Hiking across Mount Whitney is a popular activity as it has the distinction of being the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States. It stands at 14,494 ft (4,414 meters) on the eastern borders of the Sequoia National Park.

The mountain is a popular hiking destination due to its largest mountain label and the difficulty levels associated with hiking across it. Alarm bells started to ring after Tom did not return on Wednesday for his return flight. The Inyo County printed out missing posters and distributed them in the area in order to aid and fasten the search.

They deployed a search team in the mountains and rescuers found some clues that indicated a person had fallen down. It was near an area called ‘The Notch’. They set out on their search mission with a helicopter and discovered a motionless body with clothes that matched the description of Tom.

A tragic end to an adventurous journey

They found his body about 1000 feet (305 meters) off a cliff and the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office confirmed his identity. His company Air France released a statement and also informed that he had stopped a stopover in Los Angeles.

“The company offers its most sincere condolences to his family and loved ones,”  Air France said in their statement to the media.

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Hiking incidents like these are not rare, but quite common. Every person is aware of the dangers of trekking mountains, but the thrill and desire for adventure makes them overlook it. Stories like these are rather common, unfortunately. A Canadian couple, known for their love of hiking, tragically lost their lives and their beloved pet dogs in an accident.

They set on their yearly ritual hike, this time to the Banff National Park in Canada. The couple’s fun adventure met a brutal end when they encountered two grizzly bears on their way. Despite being equipped with bear sprays, the couple could not fend off the attack and the two bears mauled them to death. Their pet dog too met a fatal demise and their death left the entire community in shock.

The love for hiking has claimed many lives over the years and Tom Gerbier was another addition to that notorious list.

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