Matthew Kraft, a 24-year-old U.S. Marine and experienced outdoorsman, disappeared during a solo backcountry ski and hike trip in the Sierra Nevada in February 2019. He left the Kearsarge Pass trailhead near Independence, California, on February 23 intending to follow the Sierra High Route for roughly 195 miles and was expected to finish near Bridgeport around March 4 or 5. When he never reached his planned endpoint, a large multi-agency search began.

Kraft’s Jeep Wrangler was located on March 8, 2019, near Grays Meadows campground, but no other sign of him was found. Search teams used helicopters, thermal imaging, and avalanche detection equipment, and severe winter conditions with snow instability and avalanche danger hampered ground efforts. Despite extensive aerial and ground searches, no further clues have emerged and his body has not been recovered; he is presumed to have died from extreme weather during the trek. If anyone had contact with Matthew or saw him hiking the Sierra High Route that winter, please share what you know.