Korean-American man found dead after going missing during hike amid heat wave

A Korean-American man who went missing during a hike in Riverside County was found dead.

Hantae Kim, 61, was reported missing around 11 a.m. on July 7. According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, Kim’s body was found on July 10 in a ravine located east of Fuller Ridge Trailhead and south of Snow Creek. He was last seen in the area of Fuller Ridge Trailhead, which is part of the Pacific Crest Trail.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office conducted searches with a rescue helicopter, as well as search groups and other law enforcement agencies.

According to a local media outlet, the Sacramento Bee, Kim set out on the Pacific Crest Trail for a hike on July 5. He planned to do a portion of the 2,650-mile trek, intending to return home to Chula Vista by July 7.

He sent photos to his family but he went quiet after sending one more message in the morning of July 6. On July 7, when Kim failed to return home, his family reported him missing.

While Kim was on his hike, Southern California temperatures were in the triple digits.

BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]