IMO he works in the Yellowstone and had taken a 7 day back country trip, its obvious that he didn't go unprepared. I'm sure he likely had a pack he hiked with and gear for different weather.
Regarding where he was living -
May I ask where you have seen that he lost his glasses?
I think they are saying hypothetically “if” he lost his glasses - articles said he was wearing glasses.
If you're somewhere to do a 7 day trip and have a camp site there is obviously an excellent reasoning for not having all your personal belongings with you when setting out for a hike to the summit of Eagle Peak. Why carry every single item you brought for a 7day camping trip to the top of the peak? No one would do this it would be way too much work to carry so much added weight. He placed a call to family at 7pm so he clearly intended on being away from his camp after sunset. A hike like that you would have necessities with you in pack and a sleeping bag seems like an important item to have with you. MOO.
Welcome @Boots38.
I think this is a fair question to ask. To summit that late means he was many, many hours behind schedule and could have been unprepared to be stuck away from his camp overnight, or that his plan was to bivouac halfway down the mountain. Either way, it’s not the optimal plan, in my opinion. But I have often been caught veering from my optimal plan. In this case, I personally would have bailed out on the summit and tried again the next day, but we seem to have proof he signed the summit register and confirmed his location to family around sunset.
RDBM
RDBM
Interesting @moonrise and @tarabull. I see what you both see. Could be nothing, but could be something to explore. SAR/LE likely have access to high tech equipment to take a closer look.
IMO you should send your images (referencing the source image of course) to yell_public_affairs@nps.gov, as AK's father requested the public do if we have anything.
I did that with Snoopster's video of the two climbers because they wanted images from others' summit of Eagle Peak.
If you don't want to, I'd be happy to...
There are many types of employment at these parks, and the first announcement identifies him as a "concessions employee." That means he could be working a gift shop, a cafeteria, custodian, etc. So his employment might not be directly using or strengthening his outdoorsmanship. There are numerous stories of park employees getting into risky situations in the books by Ghiglieri and Farabee. (I won't post the titles here, because I want to have only positive energy going toward finding Austin.) (Mods, feel free to retract if I should be giving more direct citation.)All of this discussion about Austin's employment at the park leads me to think he was experienced and fully prepared for his hike and the late summit !
I.e., not a novice.
Also imo something wholly unexpected could have happened to him.
A sudden fall and sprained ankle, or an animal attack.
Omo.
Wish they could find him soon as the longer time goes by ....
In some of the above photos, it looks like snow (if there is much ?) has melted ?
Godspeed to all of the searchers out there.
So heartbreaking for his loved ones.
RSBM
