Washington Teacher Dies Falling 100 Feet on California Solo Hike

Harris Levinson, a beloved 61-year-old teacher from Vashon High School in Washington, tragically died after falling nearly 100 feet into a gully just two miles into a solo backpacking trip along the John Muir Trail in California. Levinson, an experienced hiker and well-known community figure, had planned the trek for months and left a food resupply cache at Onion Valley, which was not collected, prompting a search. His body was found at 9,400 feet in Lone Pine Creek, and it appeared he died on impact while hiking the more treacherous climber's route up Mount Whitney. Friends and community members expressed grief, highlighting Levinson's joyful spirit and multifaceted talents as a teacher, writer, theater artist, puppeteer, and mentor. The Inyo County Sheriff's Office and search teams used data from Levinson's satellite messaging device to locate him, with authorities describing the terrain as difficult and the cause of death as a fatal fall. Levinson's passing has deeply impacted the Vashon community, where he was celebrated for his remarkable work with youth and the arts.