The couple had spent the night at the camp high on the mountain in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington, and started down Wednesday morning only to encounter high winds, heavy rains, and white-out conditions. At 10 a.m. Wednesday a 911 call from the woman, who was visiting from Virginia, was routed to park rangers. She said that she and her hiking partner, Alex Fitzgerald, of Seattle and Michigan, were lost in the severe weather conditions at about 9,300 feet elevation.

Park rangers monitored their descent, while a quick-response team was dispatched to assist them. 

At 3:50 p.m. Wednesday, the team intercepted the surviving hiker at the top of the Skyline Trail, about 7,200 feet elevation, being assisted by two other hikers. She reported that Fitzgerald had become increasingly disoriented and, finally, unresponsive, and that after trying unsuccessfully to move him or to get a cell phone signal, she had left to find help, a park release said.

Fitzgerald was located at 4:42 p.m. Wednesday at about 7,700 feet on the Muir Snowfield, and was determined to be deceased. On Thursday rangers returned to the scene, assisted by Olympic, Tacoma, Central Washington, Seattle, and Everett Mountain Rescue volunteers, and recovered his body.

The route to Camp Muir follows a trail from Paradise (elevation 5,400 feet) to Pebble Creek, and then across the Muir Snowfield the rest of the way to the high camp at 10,180 feet. Its high elevation and exposed location mean that weather can deteriorate rapidly and dramatically.

Hikers are encouraged to monitor weather forecasts, carry the “10 Essentials,” and bring gear suitable for any conditions. All overnight travel in the park requires a backcountry permit reserved online at least a week in advance.