Jia Huang

Missing Backpacker Found Deceased In Aloha Lake

UPDATE: El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office

On 6/28/22 at about 1:40 pm, EDSO received a report of a tent which appeared to have been abandoned and blown over by the wind in the Desolation Wilderness near Lake Aloha. The reporting party was concerned due to the condition of the tent and presence of other personal items. Property located within the tent included a USFS Wilderness Permit, and the driver’s license of 32-year-old Jia Huang of San Francisco.
EDSO contacted Huang’s family members, who stated Huang was known to camp alone and planned to return home from his trip on 6/29/22. Based on reports from other hikers in the area, Huang’s tent appeared to be abandoned overnight from 06/27/22 to 06/28/22.
EDSO continued their investigation by pinging and sending emergency texts to Huang’s phone, both with negative results. On 06/28/2022 the EDSO Office of Emergency Services utilized air resources in an attempt to locate Huang in the areas near Lake Aloha. Flight crews also landed and checked the campsite and immediate area with negative results. Based on the abandoned tent and the circumstances, EDSO entered Huang as a missing person and requested the EDSO Search and Rescue Team (SAR) for further assistance.
On the morning of 06/29/22, the EDSO SAR team assembled to conduct a ground search for Huang. Teams located gear close to the shore of Lake Aloha and requested air support. With a further aerial search in that specific area, a person was located beneath the water. The decedent was recovered by the EDSO Dive Team and was transported to the South Lake Tahoe Airport. The decedent was then positively identified as Jia Huang. The cause of death was determined to be drowning and the manner of death is accidental.
EDSO extends our thoughts and prayers to the family, friends, and loved ones of Jia Huang for their loss.

Laney Griffo, TDT

(SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIFORNIA) June 29, 2022 — A hiker, Jia Huang, 32, who was reported missing on Tuesday near Aloha Lake was found on Wednesday deceased in a body of water by El Dorado County Search and Rescue.

A Facebook post from his sister, Lai Wong, who reached out to the community via social media asking for help in finding her brother, on Wednesday afternoon confirmed Huang had been found.

“Hi Everyone, I just got a call from the Sheriff. They found his dead body in the lake. Thank you for all your help. I appreciated it,” said the post.

Original post

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — A backpacker was reported missing on Tuesday, June 28, after another hiker saw the man’s abandoned campsite near Lake Aloha.

Jia Huang’s started a solo backpacking trip on June 22.

Jia Huang, 32, started a solo backpacking trip from Mt. Tallac on the Tahoe Rim Trail on Wednesday, June 22.

Around 3:30 p.m. on Monday, June 27, a hiker saw Huang’s tent upside down, along with his food canister and backpack. The next morning, around 6:30 a.m., the same hiker said he passed by the campsite again and saw that the tent was still upside down.

Huang’s tent was found on June 27.

The hiker reported the situation to El Dorado County Search and Rescue who opened an investigation.

Huang’s wallet with his ID was found at the campsite and Huang’s sister, Lai Wong, was informed.

The location of Huang’s tent.

Search and rescue officials told the Tribune they are searching bodies of water near where his tent was found, as well as the forest around the area. A helicopter has also been dispatched to look for him.

Huang is 5-feet-6, about 120 pounds with black hair and black eyes.


Cold Water Can Be Dangerous

Warm air doesn’t always mean warm water in lakes, streams or oceans. Fifty five degree water may not sound very cold, but it can be deadly. Plunging into cold water of any temperature becomes dangerous if you aren’t prepared for what the sudden exposure can do to your body and brain. Warm air temperatures can create a false sense of security for boaters and beach goers, so if you are planning to be on or near the water, arrive knowing the conditions and how to protect yourself. Cold water drains body heat up to 4 times faster than cold air. When your body hits cold water, “cold shock” can cause dramatic changes in breathing, heart rate and blood pressure. The sudden gasp and rapid breathing alone creates a greater risk of drowning even for confident swimmers in calm waters. In rougher open water this danger increases. Unplanned immersion in cold water can be life-threatening for anyone.

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