King’s identifying features include height 6’, weight 160, brown hair, hazel eyes. He was wearing glasses, a black sweatshirt and gray pants.
King’s identifying features include height 6’, weight 160, brown hair, hazel eyes. He was wearing glasses, a black sweatshirt and gray pants. Credit: Courtesy of NPS

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A search-and-rescue mission launched in Yellowstone National Park late last week after 22-year-old Austin King was reported missing. King had planned to summit Eagle Peak in a 7-day solo-backpacking trip. The peak is located in the remote southeast corner of the park. King has been working as a concession employee in Yellowstone. 

King contacted his family on Tuesday, Sept. 17, from the summit of Eagle Peak, but he failed to arrive for his boat pickup on Friday afternoon. While on the summit, King described fog, rain, sleet, hail and windy conditions, according to the NPS release.

The search and rescue effort involving aerial and ground search operations began early Saturday morning. Rescuers discovered King’s camp and personal effects Saturday evening in the upper Howell Creek area.

The park has asked anyone traveling in the backcountry near Eagle Peak since Sept.14 to report whether they saw King on the trail.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts should contact the Yellowstone Interagency Communications Center at (307) 344-2643.

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Heather Bergeson is a writer and editor based in Utah. Heather has written about travel, sports, business and the outdoors for Stowaway magazine, Utah Business magazine and Moab Sun News. She has a bachelor's...