Public Safety · Fresno County
Four Deadly Sierra Nevada Recreation Incidents Reported in 2026
A roundup published Oct. 17 details four deaths during outdoor recreation in the Sierra Nevada affecting Central Valley residents: Brian Seibert, 54, fell from a cliff band on Mount Morgan near Bishop (Mono County) on Oct. 4-6; Kalem Peter Kazarian, 52, of Fowler, died while hiking Mount Whitney in Sequoia National Park on Oct. 4; Mammoth Lakes climber Jacob Whisenant, 30, died Aug. 2 in the Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness; and a paraglider crashed into terrain on Burrough Mountain in eastern Fresno County on May 31. Search-and-rescue operations involved Mono County Sheriff SAR, Inyo County SAR, Cal Fire, CHP helicopters, and the California National Guard across multiple multi-day recoveries. Authorities had not determined cause of death for Kazarian or the paraglider as of Oct. 9. The article notes recurring risk factors including exposed descents on loose rock, solo travel at altitude, late starts, and icy conditions.