Missing man found dead after he tried to climb icy 14,500ft mountain 'on a whim' A man who embarked on a solo climb up a 14,500ft mountain "on a whim" was found dead on a remote path three days later.
Taylor Rodriguez, 29, set out to climb California's treacherous Mount Whitney on December 30 without the necessary equipment - and despite having limited climbing experience.
Despite the mountain being notorious for its high-altitude challenges and severe terrain, Rodriguez set off on his solo climb with no clear plan or sufficient preparation, officials at the Inyo County Sheriff's Office said.
Those who knew him were left baffled by the news of the climb, saying Rodriguez wasn't known for high-risk adventures and appeared to embark on the challenge "on a whim".
He was found by rescuers last Saturday in the Sierra Nevada mountain range - an area near the North Fork Lone Pine Creek Trail.
