+----------------------------+------------------+---+-------------------+
| National Park Service      | Sequoia & Kings  |   | 47050 Generals    |
|                            | Canyon National  |   | Highway           |
| U.S. Department of the     | Parks            |   |                   |
| Interior                   |                  |   | Three Rivers, CA  |
|                            |                  |   | 93271             |
|                            |                  |   |                   |
|                            |                  |   | 559 565-3341      |
|                            |                  |   | phone             |
|                            |                  |   |                   |
|                            |                  |   | 559 565-3730 fax  |
+----------------------------+------------------+---+-------------------+

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height="0.7201388888888889in"}

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**Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks** News Release

For Immediate Release -- September 1, 2006

**Alexandra Picavet (559)565-3131**

**Alexandra_Picavet@nps.gov**

**Hiking Fatality in Kings Canyon National Park**

Gregory Raye, 52, the hiker missing in the Sequoia-Kings Canyon National
Parks wilderness, was found today above 13,000' near the summit of Mt.
Brewer in Kings Canyon National Park. An official cause of death is
under investigation; however it appears he fell to his death while
trying to reach the summit.

Raye was on a solo two-week backpacking trip in the parks. When he did
not make contact with his family as expected on August 27, his son
contacted park dispatch on August 29. A search was immediately
initiated.

Due to heavy visitation expected over the holiday weekend, the All
Hazard Incident Management Team of the National Park Service's Western
Region (PWR IMT) was brought in today to assist the park by managing
this large scale search. This allows the park staff to concentrate on
the field operations of the search, and park operations. The PWR IMT is
working with the parks to recover the body, and investigate the
incident.

Over the past four days the search has involved 87 people, with up to 21
ground searchers, six dog teams, mounted patrol, and five helicopters.
The 66^th^ Rescue Squadron of Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada was called
in to help insert search teams into the search area and conduct air
reconnaissance.

Raye's pack and camp were found early this morning by a search dog team,
and search teams focused on that area. He was spotted by a search
helicopter at 10:30 A.M. in a steep narrow shoot where access is
extremely difficult and dangerous. Specially trained park rangers from
Sequoia and Kings Canyon, and Yosemite National Parks technical rescue
teams are working to recover the body and continue the investigation of
the incident. Raye's body will be released to the Tulare County
Sheriff's Coroner.

The National Park Service received mutual aid from Yosemite National
Park Search and Rescue, YODOGS, the 66^th^ Rescue Squadron, Fresno
County Sheriff's Search and Rescue, Santa Clara County Sheriff's Search
and Rescue, Sequoia Mountain Technical Rescue, and Inyo County Sheriff's
Office.

> [www.nps.gov/seki](http://www.nps.gov/seki)