Authorities still searching for missing Newport Beach hiker in Kings Canyon National Park

Crews spent nearly two weeks combing through the area near the peak of Split Mountain, close to the boundary between Kings Canyon National Park and Inyo National Forest, in hopes of finding a Newport Beach man who went missing Sunday, Aug. 21, but National Parks Services officials announced they were scaling back their efforts beginning Thursday, Sept. 1

Quang Trong Than, 66, was last seen missing on Aug. 21 and reported missing the following day, according to Inyo County Search and Rescue. He was expected to complete a day hike to the summit of Split Mountain and then exit that same day by way of the Inyo National Forest. He was not carrying overnight gear.

“At this time, no clues or leads have given any indication as to Than’s whereabouts,” National Parks officials said in a statement Thursday. “Than’s itinerary was extremely challenging, and few other hikers were in the area.”

Split Mountain has an elevation of little over 14,000 feet.

The Inyo County Sheriff’s Department said Than became separated from his group at the base of the summit.

Than was traveling with two other people, according to officials. At around the 13,200-feet mark, Than reportedly “waved them on” to indicate he would either fall behind, wait for them there or head down. No plan was made.

The other two hikers in his party made it back to their car at around 3 a.m. on Aug. 22, officials said.

Than apparently stashed a helmet and jacket at Red Lake but did not return to pick them up, and other party members did not see him during their descent from the mountain.

Department spokeswoman Carma Roper said teams from Inyo and Sierra Madre search and rescues have been performing searches throughout the area. Drones have been used in the search and all campers in the Red Lake area had been pulled out by Tuesday afternoon.

As of Wednesday, Roper said the search had moved into a “limited continuous” search, meaning that teams are no longer actively searching the terrain but are instead refocusing their efforts on known clues and new points of interest.

“The plan is to continue to review new information based on analysis of drone footage and respond accordingly,” Roper said.

Multiple agencies are involved in the search for Than and anyone who was in the area on or after Aug. 21 is being asked to reach out to NPS Investigative Services at (888) 653-0009 or [email protected].

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