Austin Shedd, 13

UPDATE:  Found Hiker Airlifted from Kings Canyon National Park
and Reunited with Family
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, CA –Hiker Austin Shedd, who was reported yesterday as missing, was airlifted from the Bench Lake area of Kings Canyon National Park on Tuesday, July 29, 2014, at 10:03 a.m. Before transport, a Parkmedic** evaluated Shedd and found him to be uninjured and in good condition. At 10:33 a.m., the helicopter arrived at the Ash Mountain area of Sequoia National Park (near Park Headquarters,
Three Rivers, CA). Shedd has been reunited with a member of his family.

Incident operations concluded on Tuesday, July 29, 2014. A total of 28 National Park Service employees from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks were involved in rescue operations today. Efforts included assisting Shedd to the helicopter landing zone and returning searchers to their normal work locations.

Missing Hiker Has Been Located!

Missing 13-year-old Hiker Found in Kings Canyon National Park
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, CA –

Missing hiker Austin Shedd, a 13-year-old male from Carlsbad, CA, and Mammoth Lakes, CA, has been found on Monday, July 28, 2014, at 9:30 p.m. by the trail crew in Kings Canyon National Park. Shedd will stay overnight in the wilderness with the trail crew until a rescue flight can take place on Tuesday, July 29. Additional details will follow when available.

Background: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Dispatch was notified of the missing hiker at approximately 2:00 a.m. on Monday, July 28, 2014. Shedd became separated from his hiking party while in the Arrow Peak (elevation 12,959 feet) area of Kings Canyon National Park on Sunday, July 27, 2014.

Efforts today included 25 National Park Service staff from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks by ground and helicopter, conducting interviews, and planning for the next days’ operation. Shedd originally departed from Taboose Pass in the Inyo National Forest enroute to Bench Lake and Arrow Peak in Kings Canyon National Park. The hiking party planned to exit via the same route.

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The 13-year-old son of a Mammoth Lakes Emergency Room doctor remained missing in the Sierra mountains at last word – the subject of a two-day search.

Last night, Mammoth Lakes friends of Dr. Rick Shedd prepared to pack up and go help look for his son, Austin Shedd. At last word, they were on stand-by. Dr. Shedd had reportedly hiked down to Independence from the Baxter Pass area Monday where other relatives awaited word.

According to friends of the doctor, he had stopped to make a sandwich for his son during their hike, and when he finished his son was gone. The doctor and a hiking partner searched for the boy. Dr. Shedd finally hiked down to the Owens Valley to get help. The hike itself involved high elevations in the backcountry above Big Pine and Independence.

Inyo Search and Rescue is not working the boy’s disappearance at last report. The Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park was reportedly conducting the search.

According to Sequoia-Kings, Shedd is 5-feet 3-inches tall and weighs about 110 pounds. He has light brown hair, blue eyes and braces. He was last seen wearing a green hat.

Anyone who has seen Shedd should call the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks at (888) 677-2746.

(PRESS RELEASE)  Search for Missing Hiker in Kings Canyon National Park Started Today
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, CA – Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks’ staff is
searching for missing hiker Austin Shedd, a 13-year-old male from Carlsbad, CA, and Mammoth Lakes, CA,
who became separated from his hiking party while in the Arrow Peak (elevation 12,959 feet) area of
Kings Canyon National Park on Sunday, July 27, 2014. Efforts today include 25 people searching by ground
and helicopter, conducting interviews, and planning for the next days’ operation. If anyone has information
about the missing hiker, please contact Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks at 888-677-2746.
Background:
 Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Dispatch was notified of the missing hiker at approximately
2:00 a.m. on Monday, July 28, 2014.
 Shedd originally departed from Taboose Pass in the Inyo National Forest enroute to Bench Lake and
Arrow Peak in Kings Canyon National Park. The hiking party planned to exit via the same route.
 See flyer for basic information about the missing hiker –
http://www.nps.gov/seki/parknews/upload/MISSING-HIKER-Austin-Shedd-July-28-2014-2.pdf
 See map for a general location of the search in Kings Canyon National Park –
www.nps.gov/seki/parknews/upload/PIO-ArrowPeakInitial_PIO_8x11.pdf
 A photograph of the missing hiker is available at –
http://www.nps.gov/seki/parknews/upload/Austin-Shedd-P1070746_01.jpg