In a tragic turn of events, the body of a 22-year-old hiker has been discovered in the mountains of southern California after an intense week-long search amid challenging winter conditions. Lifei Huang went missing on February 4 while hiking alone in the Mount Baldy area of the San Gabriel mountains, just as a historic storm was about to hit the region.

The severe weather, including heavy snowfall and avalanche risks, had hindered search efforts throughout the week. However, on Sunday morning, a helicopter crew was finally able to locate and recover Huang's body from the upper San Antonio Creek Falls area of the mountain, according to a statement from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

A drone operator had initially spotted Huang's body on Saturday afternoon, but the harsh conditions made it impossible for searchers to immediately access the area by ground or air. Search and rescue crews camped nearby throughout the night to preserve the scene, and her remains were found the following morning by medics.

At this time, authorities have not released the cause of Huang's death. The sheriff's office has issued a warning to the public, advising them to avoid venturing into the mountains during inclement weather. They emphasized that the storms have made the terrain treacherous and resources are stretched thin, causing potential delays in providing assistance to lost hikers.

Mount Baldy, located approximately 40 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles, is a popular destination for hikers, standing at over 10,000 feet. However, it is also known for its dangers, particularly during winter conditions, and has gained a reputation as one of the deadliest peaks in the United States.

The tragic incident involving Huang is not the first of its kind on Mount Baldy. Last year, British actor Julian Sands, an experienced mountain climber, was found dead on the mountain months after he went missing. In January 2023 alone, at least two other hikers lost their lives, while 15 others were injured or lost.

On the same day Huang disappeared, a group of three hikers also ran into trouble while attempting to scale Mount Baldy. They were stranded overnight due to the heavy snowfall and had to wait until the following day to be rescued, despite being well-equipped for the conditions.

Huang, a resident of El Monte in Los Angeles County, was known among her friends as an adventurous solo hiker. Prior to her hike, she had texted her friends about her plans for the day and sent a video of the area to her boyfriend. The last contact with her was around 4pm.

The tragic loss of Lifei Huang serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of hiking in extreme weather conditions, and authorities continue to urge caution and preparedness for those venturing into the mountains.