WY WY - Austin King, 22, Yellowstone National Park, Eagle Peak, 17 Sept 2024

[Lish311]

Found this website of some of the registered summits of Eagle Peak Wyoming. Probably not all, just what is reported to this website.

Ascents of Eagle Peak - Peakbagger.com

It says there was a hiker, Peter Gram, would summitted Eagle Peak on the day that SAR efforts began on September 21st. Is that possible?

I guess they are checking and contacting everyone had a back country permit and was in the area in the week that Austin went missing?

 

[ch_13]

Found this website of some of the registered summits of Eagle Peak Wyoming. Probably not all, just what is reported to this website.

Ascents of Eagle Peak - Peakbagger.com

It says there was a hiker, Peter Gram, would summitted Eagle Peak on the day that SAR efforts began on September 21st. Is that possible?

I guess they are checking and contacting everyone had a back country permit and was in the area in the week that Austin went missing?

That's a different mountain. There are two different ones in Wyoming with the same name. The one you linked to is in the SE part of the state and is 9172 feet high. (There's even a third, called Lost Eagle Peak.)

The one in Yellowstone is 11,364 feet high. Peakbaggers doesn't show any 2024 ascents for it: Ascents of Eagle Peak - Peakbagger.com

Edited to add:
Here's an excerpt from a 2013 trip report for the Yellowstone mountain from the Peakbaggers site.
We spent a short while on the cold, windy summit and then began our descent. It should be noted that it is impossible to see the exit point from the lava tube until you are virtually standing next to the hole. Some temporary flagging might be a good idea as you leave the lava tube on your way up to the summit. Not finding the lava tube on your descent would be problematical to say the least.

Ascent of Eagle Peak on 2013-08-25 - Peakbagger.com

www.peakbagger.com

I've seen several different reports that note how tricky it is coming back down from the peak (all from experienced climbers), and it would be doubly so at dusk.

 

[starlightstarbright]

I was curious what this ‘keyhole’ or ‘lava tube’ in the route looks like. I hope it’s okay to post these photos from the attached blog and description of the route. Certainly gives me the willies just looking at it.

Eagle Peak

Eagle Peak (11,367) – Highpoint of Yellowstone National Park Eric and Katie – August 24, 2014 Aug 23 – hike to Eagle Creek Meadows Aug 24 – Summit, return to camp Aug 25 &#8…

www.countryhighpoints.com

 

[CuriousCricket]

I doubt that. Tons of college kids have worked in the park for decades.

Not just college kids, but retirees too. It's a great way to work to supplement the income and see the country.

 

[Tower]

That's a different mountain. There are two different ones in Wyoming with the same name. The one you linked to is in the SE part of the state and is 9172 feet high. (There's even a third, called Lost Eagle Peak.)

The one in Yellowstone is 11,364 feet high. Peakbaggers doesn't show any 2024 ascents for it: Ascents of Eagle Peak - Peakbagger.com

Edited to add:
Here's an excerpt from a 2013 trip report for the Yellowstone mountain from the Peakbaggers site.
We spent a short while on the cold, windy summit and then began our descent. It should be noted that it is impossible to see the exit point from the lava tube until you are virtually standing next to the hole. Some temporary flagging might be a good idea as you leave the lava tube on your way up to the summit. Not finding the lava tube on your descent would be problematical to say the least.

Ascent of Eagle Peak on 2013-08-25 - Peakbagger.com

www.peakbagger.com

I've seen several different reports that note how tricky it is coming back down from the peak (all from experienced climbers), and it would be doubly so at dusk.

My husband is obsessed with Peakbaggers, it’s a great resource for people who like to summit mountains. I was shocked when he told me last week there are only 8 trip reports of Eagle Peak.

Eagle Peak has 23 people ever summiting on that website. Certainly everyone does not log their summits on that site, but many who would be drawn to a technical, obscure mountain would also log their summit.

As a comparison, there would be more than 23 per hour at busy times on Mt. Whitney.

There are many sad aspects to Austin’s situation, but I am very afraid if they could not find him during this search & rescue, it could be hard to find him at any time.

Geraldine Largay’s disappearance on the Appalachian Trail was brought up earlier on this thread. She was found years later, yet there are 3 million visitors to the AT every year, so other hikers or hunters were nearby to find her. There are few people out there to find Austin.

I hope Austin is found today. I will always be waiting for his return and I feel deeply for his family.

My opinion/my experience

Peakbagger.com Home Page

www.peakbagger.com

Media Room | Appalachian Trail Conservancy

We are excited to work with you! Contact us today for any media needs regarding the ATC's work to protect, manage, and advocate for the Appalachian Trail.

appalachiantrail.org

Geraldine Largay’s Wrong Turn: Death on the Appalachian Trail (Published 2016)

“When you find my body, please call my husband George and my daughter Kerry,” Ms. Largay, 66, wrote in her diary after she became lost while hiking in Maine.

www.nytimes.com

 

[brm1960]

I was curious what this ‘keyhole’ or ‘lava tube’ in the route looks like. I hope it’s okay to post these photos from the attached blog and description of the route. Certainly gives me the willies just looking at it.

Eagle Peak

Eagle Peak (11,367) – Highpoint of Yellowstone National Park Eric and Katie – August 24, 2014 Aug 23 – hike to Eagle Creek Meadows Aug 24 – Summit, return to camp Aug 25 &#8…

www.countryhighpoints.com

Pictures were great, and your writing was even better. Thank you.

 

[vls12345]

I was curious what this ‘keyhole’ or ‘lava tube’ in the route looks like. I hope it’s okay to post these photos from the attached blog and description of the route. Certainly gives me the willies just looking at it.

Eagle Peak

Eagle Peak (11,367) – Highpoint of Yellowstone National Park Eric and Katie – August 24, 2014 Aug 23 – hike to Eagle Creek Meadows Aug 24 – Summit, return to camp Aug 25 &#8…

www.countryhighpoints.com

In a different video @Snoopster posted early in the thread, the two hikers decided they wouldn't be able to make it through that narrow opening. They knew people used it previously but mentioned that maybe it had changed or narrowed over time. They also said they looked around and found a different route to get up that last bit. Not sure when that hike took place but it was posted about a year ago.

Starting around the 12 minute mark, he talks about finding the lava chute.

Post in thread 'WY - Austin King, 22, Yellowstone National Park, Eagle Peak, 17 Sept 2024' WY - WY - Austin King, 22, Yellowstone National Park, Eagle Peak, 17 Sept 2024

 

[ch_13]

Eagle Peak has 23 people ever summiting on that website. Certainly everyone does not log their summits on that site, but many who would be drawn to a technical, obscure mountain would also log their summit.

I've been curious about how many people summit Eagle Peak. Here's a report from September 2000.

We were the fourth group of the year, and about hundredth in 20 years.

Yellowstone National Park High Point Trip Report

Then in August 2014, someone took a photo of a page from the register.

Eagle Peak

Eagle Peak (11,367) – Highpoint of Yellowstone National Park Eric and Katie – August 24, 2014 Aug 23 – hike to Eagle Creek Meadows Aug 24 – Summit, return to camp Aug 25 &#8…

www.countryhighpoints.com

The page shows three groups summiting in one week. Maybe that's anomalous. Or perhaps the peak has gotten more popular over time, especially with the availability of online trip reports so others know how best to plan their route.

Still, even three ascents over a week is a tiny number compared to other, more accessible climbs. And that's during August, at the peak of the season (no pun intended). I would think by mid-September there'd only be a couple of attempts, at most.

 

[Tower]

I've been curious about how many people summit Eagle Peak. Here's a report from September 2000.

We were the fourth group of the year, and about hundredth in 20 years.

Yellowstone National Park High Point Trip Report

Then in August 2014, someone took a photo of a page from the register.
View attachment 535359 View attachment 535360

Eagle Peak

Eagle Peak (11,367) – Highpoint of Yellowstone National Park Eric and Katie – August 24, 2014 Aug 23 – hike to Eagle Creek Meadows Aug 24 – Summit, return to camp Aug 25 &#8…

www.countryhighpoints.com

The page shows three groups summiting in one week. Maybe that's anomalous. Or perhaps the peak has gotten more popular over time, especially with the availability of online trip reports so others know how best to plan their route.

Still, even three ascents over a week is a tiny number compared to other, more accessible climbs. And that's during August, at the peak of the season (no pun intended). I would think by mid-September there'd only be a couple of attempts, at most.

One of the trip reports had 7 people total who went essentially together, but summited separately in 3 groups. But yes, the weather window for summiting this peak would be very narrow, so mid to late summer and maybe the first week of fall would be the only reasonable time all year to summit. Moo and info on peakbaggers.com

 

[RedHaus]

To add to the Lava Flow / Key Hole / Chimney discussion, I posted this image ^^^. Since some OPs have opted to jump in mid-thread, I thought I'd post it again. It's my best shot at finding this landmark location on SAR Images (#20).

Key: Red: lava flow; Green: key hole; Purple, likely ascent route; Yellow: box with 3 searchers for size perspective.



p.s. there's lots of important information and sleuthing throughout this thread. We are only on T1, P16 folks...

ET: fix grammer

 

[RedHaus]

Could be someone targeted Austin’s king and maybe abducted him.

RSBM
Welcome to Websleuths, @Bunny01!

I first posted this article in Post #16.

You may want to read it as it describes why people go missing in Yellowstone (foul play is extremely rare in back country areas) and why many missing are never found (usually within a week of dying, they are eaten).

Sadly, this may explain why AK, if he has died, may never be found. That said, I still hope for a miracle he is found alive.

 

[mickey2942]

Thanks @starlightsstarbright

The weather in Montana and Wyoming is crazy. It can be perfectly beautiful down in the valley, I live in Missoula and often have to drive to Helena, going over McDonald's Pass, the weather is great in both places...but the weather in Elliston, the town in between Helena and Missoula is at the top of the pass, and I have driven hwy 12, when it was a white out raging blizzard. In August. Because of the change in elevations.

Just part of living in Montana. People don't realize that even on a day hike, or overnight hike, to be ready for the unexpected, even in July or August. Getting cold on a hike is the worst thing, because it creates confusion, disorientation, and then mistakes happen.

And, I agree, if he fell, or became disoriented, he may never be found. YNP is a huge place.

I feel so badly for his family.

 

[Lish311]

Looks like Austin's father, Brian King-Henke, is organizing a new search effort on his own. He mentions 2 people joining the team but it's not clear the other resources he might have access to. He posted an update 2 days on the page and today he says that they arrived in Cody, Wyoming.

https://www..com/f/help-brian-kinghenke-find-missing-son-austin

(looks like the link to this page isn't allowed on websleuths)

Glad they are searching again!

Because they haven't found any clues of him at all in their search area, it is more than likely, he tried to make it down towards his original camp but got extremely lost somewhere off trail due to the fog, low visibility and actual darkness at the time of the descent and at some point became incapacitated.

The place where he would be is maybe not logical or within scope for a SAR team but logical for a person with poor eyesight who is lost in the darkness, rain, wind and fog.

I hope they still have a good chance to find something.

 

[ch_13]

Looks like Austin's father, Brian King-Henke, is organizing a new search effort on his own. He mentions 2 people joining the team but it's not clear the other resources he might have access to. He posted an update 2 days on the page and today he says that they arrived in Cody, Wyoming.

https://www..com/f/help-brian-kinghenke-find-missing-son-austin

(looks like the link to this page isn't allowed on websleuths)

Glad they are searching again!

I certainly don't blame Austin's dad for continuing to look. I'm sure I would do the exact same thing if I was in his position. And it does seem like he has a couple of locals (who presumably have SAR experience) working with him. But I fear that this could turn out very badly, considering the harsh terrain and oncoming winter. I hope they don't take any unnecessary risks.

Because they haven't found any clues of him at all in their search area, it is more than likely, he tried to make it down towards his original camp but got extremely lost somewhere off trail due to the fog, low visibility and actual darkness at the time of the descent and at some point became incapacitated.

The place where he would be is maybe not logical or within scope for a SAR team but logical for a person with poor eyesight who is lost in the darkness, rain, wind and fog.

I hope they still have a good chance to find something.

Looking at the previous search efforts, the SAR team was very thorough. I really have my doubts about where Austin's dad's team could search that wasn't already covered.



Personally I think Austin never made it off the mountain. Perhaps he fell into a snow-filled crevasse or some other area that isn't accessible on foot and not visible from the air (at least with the snow currently on the ground).

 

[Lish311]

@ch_13
Definitely your assumption about a fall is also probably also highly likely. But I'm just wondering what the other scenarios could be, assuming they really checked the mountain and it looks like they really checked around the base of the mountain and potential fall points (but as you mentioned maybe there are places that are not visible/accessible and by foot or by drone).

The search was incredibly thorough...but if there's still no clue or sighting of him...then maybe it is worth it to look into all alternative or outlier scenarios.

And I can 100% understand his dad not wanting to give up out of love, and is willing to accept the risks as I think many good parents would try and do if they reasonably could.

I certainly don't blame Austin's dad for continuing to look. I'm sure I would do the exact same thing if I was in his position. And it does seem like he has a couple of locals (who presumably have SAR experience) working with him. But I fear that this could turn out very badly, considering the harsh terrain and oncoming winter. I hope they don't take any unnecessary risks.




Looking at the previous search efforts, the SAR team was very thorough. I really have my doubts about where Austin's dad's team could search that wasn't already covered.

View attachment 536705

Personally I think Austin never made it off the mountain. Perhaps he fell into a snow-filled crevasse or some other area that isn't accessible on foot and not visible from the air (at least with the snow currently on the ground).

 

[windrower]

@ch_13
Definitely your assumption about a fall is also probably also highly likely. But I'm just wondering what the other scenarios could be, assuming they really checked the mountain and it looks like they really checked around the base of the mountain and potential fall points (but as you mentioned maybe there are places that are not visible/accessible and by foot or by drone).

The search was incredibly thorough...but if there's still no clue or sighting of him...then maybe it is worth it to look into all alternative or outlier scenarios.

And I can 100% understand his dad not wanting to give up out of love, and is willing to accept the risks as I think many good parents would try and do if they reasonably could.

Do we know if AK had a compass? A topo map? Other than digital ones on his phone? (I apologize if I missed a discussion about these.)

I think AK was unable to descend the mountain safely in the dark and bad weather.

But if he did . . .

There are times a hiker can get turned around and if not familiar with the area, wooded hillsides and mountains can look the same. And pretty soon, that hiker is miles away from where they intended to go.

Especially if the hiker has a bad sense of direction, or the sky is overcast.

 

[orchidaceaes]

Missing Yellowstone Hiker's Note A Clue For Volunteer Search Teams Now Mobilizing

The father of a 22-year-old hiker missing since Sept. 17 after summiting Yellowstone’s highest peak is coordinating private and volunteer search teams to…

cowboystatedaily.com

 

[mickey2942]

I don't know, it is getting pretty late in the season to start this kind of search.

 

[tarabull]

Missing Yellowstone Hiker's Note A Clue For Volunteer Search Teams Now Mobilizing

The father of a 22-year-old hiker missing since Sept. 17 after summiting Yellowstone’s highest peak is coordinating private and volunteer search teams to…

cowboystatedaily.com

 

[ch_13]

“I free soloed too many cliffs to get here and walked up to the peak from the connecting peak – AKA not the right path.

Well that seems to answer one question that we've all had: Why did it take him until the evening to summit?

Looks like he got lost, climbed another mountain and then tried to make his way to Eagle Peak over a saddle. Since he didn't go up the standard route I doubt he had any idea how to descend. Many of the trip reports have mentioned how important it was to mark your path for the return.

The conditions he describes are nasty: sleet, wind, fog, hail and dusk was falling. I think an older, more experienced hiker would know to turn around long before this, but youth and impetuousness were likely fatal.

I am 22 years old and I will never forget today (for) the rest of my life.”