by MOUNT WHITNEY, CALIFORNIA — A 29-year-old father from San Diego has died after falling from a cliff while attempting to climb Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in the contiguous United States. The tragic accident occurred amid dangerous winter conditions that have left his family and friends devastated.
Paul “PJ” Ortiz Jr., an experienced hiker and outdoors enthusiast, was ascending the mountain on October 25 when he fell from an area known as the “99 switchbacks,” located at an elevation of more than 12,000 feet, according to the Inyo County Search and Rescue team.
Harsh Conditions Complicated Recovery Efforts
Hikers nearby spotted Ortiz’s body shortly after the fall, prompting a rescue effort involving three rescuers and a California Highway Patrol helicopter. However, powerful winds made it impossible for the chopper to reach the site immediately.
On Sunday, rescue personnel hiked 14 miles roundtrip to reach Ortiz’s body and lower it to a more accessible area for recovery.
Ortiz leaves behind two young sons, ages 1 and 3, as well as his parents and younger sister, Lea Ortiz, who described him as “the coolest” and “my whole world.”
“He was the coolest. He was my whole world,” Lea said. “Everything I’ve ever done was to keep up with him or copy him. He was my first role model, my first competitor, my first friend.”
Fellow Hiker Describes ‘Extreme’ Weather Conditions
Wes Ostgaard, the hiker who discovered Ortiz’s body and alerted rescuers, told USA TODAY that the conditions on Mount Whitney that day were “extremely dangerous.”
“The wind was so powerful we would have to turn our faces to breathe,” Ostgaard said. “We had snow hitting our faces and it felt like 1,000 needles. It was very extreme.”
Ostgaard said he had met Ortiz earlier on the trail and described him as happy, social, and confident.
“He was doing good, he had a big smile and he was happy,” he said. “He was very charming, a very put-together guy.”
He believes Ortiz stepped on an unstable, snow-covered rock, causing him to lose balance and fall down the steep slope.
‘He Knew What He Was Doing,’ Says Family
Ortiz’s sister pushed back against online speculation that her brother was inexperienced or reckless.
“My brother knew what he was doing,” she said. “It was a freak accident. Mother Nature is cruel.”
Mount Whitney, which rises 14,505 feet above sea level, is known for its challenging terrain and unpredictable weather. Even seasoned climbers can face sudden shifts in wind and snow conditions.
A Life of Ambition and Adventure
Ortiz’s family and close friends described him as an ambitious, outdoors-loving father who thrived on adventure. He was a devoted dad, a skilled cook, and an athletic achiever with a background in football and engineering.
His best friend and the mother of his children, Jacquelyn Valdez, said PJ was “a great father and a loving man” whose passion for life inspired those around him.
“They became his whole world,” Valdez said of their two children.
Ortiz, a former All-American college football kicker, had studied in Pennsylvania and Minnesota before returning to California. He worked at Illumina, a genome sequencing company based in San Diego, and had recently enrolled in the engineering program at UC San Diego.
“He was definitely a go-getter, very ambitious,” Lea Ortiz said. “There’s no goal that he set that he wasn’t going to reach.”
Read Also: Family Desperate to Find Missing 59-Year-Old Southern California Man
Remembering PJ Ortiz
Those who knew Ortiz described him as a man with a kind heart, adventurous spirit, and a deep love for family. He enjoyed hiking, surfing, fishing, skateboarding, and snowboarding, often taking his 3-year-old son along to share his passions.
“He had the biggest, kindest heart you’d ever come across,” his sister said. “He was literally the coolest person ever.”
Ortiz’s family and friends are now mourning a man who lived life fully, chasing both goals and mountain peaks with the same relentless energy.
Honoring His Memory
Authorities continue to remind hikers to check weather forecasts and safety advisories before attempting high-altitude climbs like Mount Whitney, especially during the colder months.
For tributes, safety updates, and more stories honoring everyday heroes, visit race-day-live.com.
