In a tragic turn of events, the body of 22-year-old Lefei Huang, who went missing while hiking in the San Gabriel Mountains, was discovered over the weekend after more than a week of intensive search efforts. The grueling weather conditions and treacherous terrain had hindered search operations, illustrating the seriousness of the situation.

Huang, who hailed from El Monte, was reported missing on February 4th after embarking on a solo hike in the Mount Baldy area. Despite a prompt response from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, no trace of her was found during the initial search. However, the search teams were forced to suspend their efforts due to heavy snowfall, which increased the risk of avalanches on the mountain.

A breakthrough came on Saturday when a member of the public flying a drone alerted the sheriff's office to the presence of a body. However, reaching the spot proved to be a daunting task as the adverse weather persisted. Deputies made camp near the location overnight and, on Sunday morning, a sheriff's helicopter was finally able to deliver medics to the upper San Antonio Creek Falls area. It was there that Huang's body was found and subsequently airlifted.

Law enforcement agencies are using this tragic incident as a reminder for the public to exercise caution and refrain from venturing out alone, especially during severe weather conditions. Huang had set out on her hike just before a powerful "atmospheric river" storm was predicted to hit the West Coast, resulting in heavy rain, flooding, and substantial snowfall in the mountains.

Mara Rodriguez from the sheriff's department highlighted the seriousness of the conditions, emphasizing that even their highly-trained search and rescue crews were unable to reach certain areas. The department expressed gratitude towards all personnel and volunteers involved in the search and also thanked the citizen who alerted the U.S. Forestry Commission, ultimately leading to the discovery of Huang's body.

With the mountainous region buried under a thick layer of snow, the sheriff's department issued a strong advisory, urging individuals to stay away from mountain activities for their safety. Resources are currently strained due to the extreme weather, meaning that lost hikers may have to wait extended periods before help can arrive.

This devastating incident serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers that can arise in the wilderness, particularly when facing unpredictable weather conditions and venturing out alone. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Lefei Huang's family and loved ones during this difficult time.