Fresno County Missing Hikers

Eleven hikers on an Outward Bound journey went missing in the Sierra Nevada mountains in late June, 2008. The group, consisting of nine teenagers and two guides, failed to meet at a rendezvous point with another guide. On June 25, 2008, they made contact with Outward Bound, the organization behind the hike, after finding their way to a nearby store.

Fast Facts

1. Organization sponsoring journey: Outward Bound
2. Number of people in original group: 12¹
3. Number missing: 11¹
4. Planned to climb Mount Shinn
5. Group had food supplies to last until June 27²
6. Made contact on June 25
7. Located only a few miles off course

Destination and Separation

The goal of the hiking party was to scale Mount Shinn, a 10,945 foot peak near Courtwright Reservoir in Fresno County, California.³ One of the guides became separated from the group when he went to scout out a climb of Mount Shinn.¹ When he arrived at the predetermined rendezvous location, the rest of the party was not there. The guide, who was the only group member with a satellite phone, then contacted the authorities.²

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