A body found under melting show at the 8,000-foot level of Mount Rainier was identified Wednesday as Mark Vucich, 37, of Agoura Hills, Calif., one of four hikers or climbers who vanished on the mountain in blizzard conditions in mid-January.
Vucich and a friend, Michelle Trojanowski, 30, of Atlanta, had hiked up the mountain to snow camp. Trojanowski's body has not yet been found.
An autopsy will be conducted on Vucich's body to determine the cause of death.
“It appeared that the body had been under snow for some time,” a park statement said, adding that it was found in the lower reaches of the Muir Snowfield. “The individual was brought down the mountain on a litter by park rangers today (Tuesday). His identity will be determined by the Pierce County medical examiner."
The park statement said at the time that it was possible the remains may be that of one of four climbers who vanished while on Mount Rainier during the January snowstorms, although no additional evidence or bodies were found in the area.
“Warm weather is expected to continue rapidly melting snow in the area over the next month or two, which may uncover evidence related to the missing climbers. The search for the four missing climbers is still active and ongoing on a limited basis,” the park said.
