Search efforts to find a Yellowstone National Park employee who went missing during a backpacking trip to Eagle Peak are being scaled back, officials announced Wednesday, as the focus shifts from rescue to recovery.
Austin King, 22, had been hiking alone when he last made contact with his family on September 17 from the summit of Eagle Peak, Yellowstone’s tallest mountain. Three days later, he failed to meet his scheduled boat pickup, prompting an intensive search-and-rescue operation.
According to the release, more than 100 personnel—including two helicopters, search dog teams, ground teams with spotting scopes, trackers, and a drone—have searched more than 3,225 miles by air and ground.
Rescuers discovered King’s camp and personal effects on Sept. 21 in the upper Howell Creek area. But unfortunately, there have been no further definitive clues as to King’s current whereabouts.
“Despite significant search efforts over the past week and a half, we have not been able to locate Austin,” said Superintendent Cam Sholly. “Although we will continue to hope for the best, I want to extend my deepest sympathies to Austin’s family, friends and colleagues. I also want to thank the teams from Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, and Park and Teton counties, Wyoming, who have all worked tirelessly to find Austin in some of the most difficult and remote terrain in Yellowstone.”
The park does not expect to provide further updates unless a notable change occurs.
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