He survived an avalanche on Everest only to disappear in California



















No matter someone’s experience level, no matter the mountain, anyone can go on a day hike and never be seen again. Nine people remain unfound in California’s Sequoia and Kings National Parks.

Quang Thân had summitted some of the world’s tallest peaks: Kilimanjaro, Aconagua, Denali. He had attempted Everest twice and survived an avalanche there in 2005. He was a man at ease in the wilderness, accustomed to extremes.

His extensive experience makes what happened to Thân even more confounding. During a day hike on a much lesser-known California mountain he previously summitted, Thân seemingly vanished.