Canadian and U.S. park at the crossroads of alpine wilderness
Kamryn Renae has shared her ascent on the Pacific Crest Trail, including a May climb of Mount Whitney where illness forced her to camp near the summit. She was airlifted to hospital after succumbing to illness, later attributed to a water source, and was helped down by fellow hikers.
A spate of bear incidents across national parks and mountain towns has prompted renewed safety warnings. A cyclist was injured in a Pinecrest incident; a hiker in Glacier National Park survived a grizzly attack; a Mammoth Lakes couple killed a bear after it threatened their dogs. Park services urge vigilance, proper food storage and bear-aware practices.