Missing hiker found dead near Paradise at Mount Rainier National Park

The National Park Service said search teams recovered a deceased 69-year-old male solo hiker from above Paradise Friday, June 28.

The Pierce County Medical Examiner’s office identified him Kirby Clot, 69, from Seattle 
This hike was one of several recent conditioning trips he had taken to prepare for a summit climb of Mount Rainier. 

The park initiated search efforts on Thursday, June 27 in response to an overdue hiker report from family members. The family believed he had set out for a day hike to Pebble Creek on Wednesday, June 26. 

Weather conditions on Wednesday were unsettled with thunderstorms bringing rain, sleet, hail, and lightning to Paradise. 

Ground teams found no sign of the missing hiker during searches on Thursday. 

The hiker was located by aerial search late Thursday afternoon near the base of the Nisqually chute. Weather conditions did not favor recovery by helicopter until Friday morning.
 
The National Park Service said further details were is under investigation at press time. The Medical Examiner’s office planned an autopsy the afternoon of July 1 to determine the cause of death.