Body of California hiker found one week after she went missing on Mount Baldy trek
Lifei Huang, 22, went missing on the mountain amid powerful snowstorms

Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The body of a California woman who went missing while hiking Mount Baldy has been found.
Lifei Huang, 22, set out on a hike on the afternoon of 4 February, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriffās Department. Loved ones reported the El Monte woman missing after not being able to contact her for several hours.
Search and rescue teams looked for Huang for the next two days, but due to extreme snowstorms and the risk of avalanches, had to pause search efforts until conditions were safer.
On Saturday, a citizen flying a drone reported possibly sighting the missing woman. Search teams were not immediately able to hike to the location due to weather conditions, and aviation crews couldnāt conduct an aerial search amid strong winds. Team members āstayed the night near the location to preserve the scene,ā the sheriffās department said.
The next morning, air rescue teams were able to hoist medics down to the area, where they found the body of Huang, which was then airlifted off of the mountain.
āWe would like to thank all our personnel and volunteers that aided in the search, as well as the citizen that alerted U.S. Forestry,ā the sheriffās department said.
Before Huangās body was found, her cousin, Ally Zhang, told ABC 7 that her loved ones were hoping sheād be found safe.
"We are doing everything for her," Ms Zhang said. "We never blamed her for doing this. We donāt think that she wanted this to happen. Weāre 100 per cent sure she still is alive."

In a statement, El Monte officials extended their condolences to Huangās family and thanked the search and rescue teams.
āOur hearts go out to the Huang family during this difficult time as the El Monte community comes together to grieve the loss of Lifei,ā they said. āWe want to express our sincere thanks to the U.S. Department of Forestry and the San Bernardino County Sheriffās Department for their unwavering dedication in the rescue efforts.ā
The sheriffās department is urging the public to āstay away and refrain from mountain activities during this inclement weather.ā
āThe weather has effectively buried the mountain in snow and it is highly likely hikers will get into trouble,ā they said. āResources are stretched to their limits and hikers who get lost may have to wait long periods of time before help is available.ā
Mount Baldy rises more than 10,000 feet east of Los Angeles and is a popular spot for hikers.
British actor Julian Sands, 65, was reported missing while hiking there in January 2023, and his remains were eventually discovered in June.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments