Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Wade Brunette

For Immediate Release, October 31, 2009
Contact: Adrienne Freeman, 559/565-3131

Missing Man Found Deceased After Multiple Day Search

73-year old Kenneth Wade Brunette was found deceased today at approximately 12:45 pm by searchers. He was found on the eastern slope of the mountain by a search dog team.

The search for Mr. Brunette began on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 after he failed to return from a day hike to the summit of Mt. Whitney, the tallest peak in the contiguous United States. Search efforts were complicated by extremely windy, cold conditions during the early part of the week. Approximately 100 people, including dog teams and ground searchers, and four helicopters, participated in the search.

The cause of death is under investigation.


-NPS-

Rest in Peace Mr. Wade Brunette. My prayers go out to the family and all who have come to know and respect Wade through this thread.

Tragic. Condolences to the family.

My thoughts and prayers for the family for strength and healing. I am so sorry for your loss....

My condolences and prayers for comfort to the family

Holding the family of Wade Brunette in my prayers. I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that if there is anything the members of this board can do for you--just say the word.

To Ken's family - I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts.

I agree with Karen.
So sorry for your loss.

I offer my sincere condolences to the family of Wade. We all feel like we know him as family since tracking his SAR for the past week.This is a huge loss for the Whitney community.
God Bless the Brunette family and Rest in Peace Wade.

Last week I wrote to another family that had suffered the loss of a loved one , the day before I had spend time with another family that a young person had fallen in the area. How do you express the feeling to the family,that we understand what they are living through now and the helpless cloud that will not clear for sometime. Strength comes from family and friends and each person that has touched your family . From all on the board we share your sorrow . Doug