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

[iamshadow21]

“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.”

Kids can think they're bullet proof. I'm sure that it felt like overcoming to summit. Exhilarating. But he sounds exhausted and hypothermic. I wonder if he was already dying.

MOO

 

[ch_13]

Kids can think they're bullet proof. I'm sure that it felt like overcoming to summit. Exhilarating. But he sounds exhausted and hypothermic. I wonder if he was already dying.

MOO

One thing that experienced hikers/climbers know is that most accidents happen on the descent. That's when you're tired, not always thinking straight and the weather is often deteriorating.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

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

I think most parents in their position would feel they must continue coordinating some additional searches, because the official ones only just ended. I hope people continue to help them -- and stay safe. And that they do find him. His family must be so very exhausted. I am so sorry for them.

 

[mickey2942]

I think most parents in their position would feel they must continue coordinating some additional searches, because the official ones only just ended. I hope people continue to help them -- and stay safe. And that they do find him. His family must be so very exhausted. I am so sorry for them.

I wonder if they will even get a back country permit now.

 

[mickey2942]

Looks like they can, until 10/31. But they better wear bells, bears are out eating now.

Backcountry Conditions - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

 

[ErinC]

I am wondering if my theory for finding missing children in the woods would apply here as well: Search at least one mile, preferably two, past the furthest point out that you think they could have possibly, possibly, at all gotten to. Sometimes humans can get a lot farther out than we'd expect. Of course, time and weather aren't on our side here.

 

[azure]

I am wondering if my theory for finding missing children in the woods would apply here as well: Search at least one mile, preferably two, past the furthest point out that you think they could have possibly, possibly, at all gotten to. Sometimes humans can get a lot farther out than we'd expect. Of course, time and weather aren't on our side here.

Sadly I think he's more likely to be in the search area in a crevasse or under a rock slide.

 

[katydid23]

I wish he hadn't gone alone. Sometimes we need another person to be the voice of reason, and convince us to stay in the tent and wait for the storm to pass...

 

[mickey2942]

I wish he hadn't gone alone. Sometimes we need another person to be the voice of reason, and convince us to stay in the tent and wait for the storm to pass...

It is sobering, to me, that they tell the workers up front, to always go hiking with a buddy. They tell them, every year, someone goes missing.

Sadly. But, adult kids, go do what they want, you can just hope...

 

[sunspun]

9/19/24

Andrew Katilus (sp?)
Bridge Bay Marina

I can't feel my fingers and my glasses are so fogged from the ruthless weather of the mountains. I truly cannot believe I am here after what it took to be here. I endured rain, sleet, hail, and the most wind I have ever felt. I could not see Eagle for most of the day due to the most fog I have ever seen in my life. I free soloed too many cliffs to get here and walked up to the peak from the connecting peak AKA not the right path. I am 22 years old and I will never forget today the rest of my life. Life is beautiful. go out and LIVE IT!
~ Austin King


(and comments from me)
Firstly, that was exactly what I read he wrote, but if I made any errors, please correct me! I wasn't positive that I read the date right, and the name at the top right as well. I didn't understand why he wrote that name there actually... was that where he worked maybe? But here are my comments:

Despite his numb, frozen fingers, his exhaustion, his sheer excitement and pride, Austin's handwriting in the register at the peak is still fairly legible, but I felt the urge to transcribe it anyway for the record here, although other transcriptions may likely be found online elsewhere. There's a lot to remark on, imo, in what he wrote, in light of his disappearance now, which must have been within hours after he wrote it. (And there is still the chance that he will be found! Never lose hope.)

I am not a mountain climber, so the significance of his description of his difficult climb may be lost on me, but what shines through is how undeniably happy he was and proud he was that he had accomplished this thing that he had set out to do. The troubles he had on the way, though unexpected and severe, couldn't dim his excitement and joy. I can't help but think if he had only had someone with him to share it with, and maybe the outcome would've been different too.

I don't know anything about where he was at the moment he signed this register... is there a little structure there at the peak, a place you can go inside that's out of the weather? Or is this register book just outside in the elements? If you can go inside somewhere, is it a place where he could stay for the night? I'm just trying to understand if he ever had a chance at any break from those extreme conditions he described, or if he would have basically been outside still enduring that harsh weather, and just turned around and started his way back down again right away. I know he called a couple people from the peak, so he was there for a little bit at least.

He didn't mention anything specific that might have befallen him on his way up, like losing some necessary equipment, or getting hurt in a fall, or even a time that he thought he was hopelessly lost and worried about his safety, or any of a number of bad things that might happen to someone on that climb. Seems like he might have mentioned it in his writing if anything really bad and noteworthy had happened. Sounds like he found it extremely hard and had to fight the weather extremes the whole way, and he was aware that he had gone off the expected route and had to find another, more circuitous way to get there, but I didn't get the impression that any catastrophic events occurred on the way. So he would've faced an arduous trip back down, in the same weather that he had already seen, so he knew what to expect as to that... but I think he must have thought he was prepared for it and had what he needed to make his descent and exit his adventure alive and well.

I'd like to know how long he stayed at the top, if there's any shelter from the weather up there, if he was able to sleep there before he set off again, if he could wait til daylight to begin his descent... and is it ever sunny and good visibility, even in the daytime? After his description, I picture it dark and freezing and little to no visibility at all times! He said it was the most wind he'd ever felt, so I can imagine how hard it would be to climb in that! He must have barely been able to stay upright without the wind knocking him down. He comes from one of our coldest states, so to say that, it must have been brutal. And the fog also was something he said was the most he'd ever seen, so he must have not been able to see very far in front of him. I can't even imagine. You never know what some folks will be drawn to, I guess, and for him, this was it. If the worst comes to pass, I hope his parents can take some comfort in how obviously happy he was at that moment, knowing he DID IT!

 

[outsidecreativ]

View attachment 537179

9/19/24

Andrew Katilus (sp?)
Bridge Bay Marina

I can't feel my fingers and my glasses are so fogged from the ruthless weather of the mountains. I truly cannot believe I am here after what it took to be here. I endured rain, sleet, hail, and the most wind I have ever felt. I could not see Eagle for most of the day due to the most fog I have ever seen in my life. I free soloed too many cliffs to get here and walked up to the peak from the connecting peak AKA not the right path. I am 22 years old and I will never forget today the rest of my life. Life is beautiful. go out and LIVE IT!
~ Austin King


(and comments from me)
Firstly, that was exactly what I read he wrote, but if I made any errors, please correct me! I wasn't positive that I read the date right, and the name at the top right as well. I didn't understand why he wrote that name there actually... was that where he worked maybe? But here are my comments:

Despite his numb, frozen fingers, his exhaustion, his sheer excitement and pride, Austin's handwriting in the register at the peak is still fairly legible, but I felt the urge to transcribe it anyway for the record here, although other transcriptions may likely be found online elsewhere. There's a lot to remark on, imo, in what he wrote, in light of his disappearance now, which must have been within hours after he wrote it. (And there is still the chance that he will be found! Never lose hope.)

I am not a mountain climber, so the significance of his description of his difficult climb may be lost on me, but what shines through is how undeniably happy he was and proud he was that he had accomplished this thing that he had set out to do. The troubles he had on the way, though unexpected and severe, couldn't dim his excitement and joy. I can't help but think if he had only had someone with him to share it with, and maybe the outcome would've been different too.

I don't know anything about where he was at the moment he signed this register... is there a little structure there at the peak, a place you can go inside that's out of the weather? Or is this register book just outside in the elements? If you can go inside somewhere, is it a place where he could stay for the night? I'm just trying to understand if he ever had a chance at any break from those extreme conditions he described, or if he would have basically been outside still enduring that harsh weather, and just turned around and started his way back down again right away. I know he called a couple people from the peak, so he was there for a little bit at least.

He didn't mention anything specific that might have befallen him on his way up, like losing some necessary equipment, or getting hurt in a fall, or even a time that he thought he was hopelessly lost and worried about his safety, or any of a number of bad things that might happen to someone on that climb. Seems like he might have mentioned it in his writing if anything really bad and noteworthy had happened. Sounds like he found it extremely hard and had to fight the weather extremes the whole way, and he was aware that he had gone off the expected route and had to find another, more circuitous way to get there, but I didn't get the impression that any catastrophic events occurred on the way. So he would've faced an arduous trip back down, in the same weather that he had already seen, so he knew what to expect as to that... but I think he must have thought he was prepared for it and had what he needed to make his descent and exit his adventure alive and well.

I'd like to know how long he stayed at the top, if there's any shelter from the weather up there, if he was able to sleep there before he set off again, if he could wait til daylight to begin his descent... and is it ever sunny and good visibility, even in the daytime? After his description, I picture it dark and freezing and little to no visibility at all times! He said it was the most wind he'd ever felt, so I can imagine how hard it would be to climb in that! He must have barely been able to stay upright without the wind knocking him down. He comes from one of our coldest states, so to say that, it must have been brutal. And the fog also was something he said was the most he'd ever seen, so he must have not been able to see very far in front of him. I can't even imagine. You never know what some folks will be drawn to, I guess, and for him, this was it. If the worst comes to pass, I hope his parents can take some comfort in how obviously happy he was at that moment, knowing he DID IT!

This is a cropped image. The name at the top is the signature of the person who inscribed the journal entry before him.

 

[Bethan]

It is sobering, to me, that they tell the workers up front, to always go hiking with a buddy. They tell them, every year, someone goes missing.

Sadly. But, adult kids, go do what they want, you can just hope...

So true. My daughter, youngest of 4 & the only girl, was quite a traveller/adventurer in her younger days. She used to say to me,
“ Mum if I die, remember that I was doing what made me really happy”

Fortunately, she was sensible, kept safe & now travels with her soul mate. I try not to worry.

 

[truthfinder2019]

Check FB of John Lamb for updates, he’s helping Austin’s father with the private search

 

[Eridachtlin]

I can't feel my fingers and my glasses are so fogged from the ruthless weather of the mountains. I truly cannot believe I am here after what it took to be here. I endured rain, sleet, hail, and the most wind I have ever felt. I could not see Eagle for most of the day due to the most fog I have ever seen in my life. I free soloed too many cliffs to get here and walked up to the peak from the connecting peak AKA not the right path. I am 22 years old and I will never forget today the rest of my life. Life is beautiful. go out and LIVE IT!
~ Austin King

Looking at a topo map, it seems there are three options that somewhat match his description of summiting via a connecting peak.

One is following the ridge direct from Eagle Pass. There is a 9860 foot high point on the ridge, but it only has about 100 feet of relief from the next low point before continuing up toward the summit. It does not look like what would seem like a peak while climbing.

The second is traversing the broad area north of the ridge and ending up on the peak to the north-west of Eagle Peak. This is 10905 feet with a couple hundred feet of relief to a saddle before continuing up. This would be a longish trek with a lot of route finding to get to the area north of that peak where the slope lessens and the climb would likely be easier.

The third option is starting with the standard route and ending up on the nub south-west of the summit. It is at 10718 feet. This is not really a peak but the terrain falls off on all sides except the ridge to the summit. It might have seemed like a peak when topping out on it.

None of these have a "walk" to the summit. It is hard to reconcile what he wrote with the terrain, but it is also hard to tell how difficult the routes are from those points to the summit just by looking at a topo map. The third option would seem the most likely if we assume he looked at trip reports and started out trying to find the standard route.

The fact that he was willing to do what he described as free soloing and not coming up via the dog route is an extremely bad sign, especially descending in the dark with fog and the temperature falling. From the available information it seems like he was more of a peak bagger than a rock climber. Descending a rock face that is relatively easy to ascend is often surprisingly difficult and dangerous.

 

[Eridachtlin]

 

[ch_13]

Looking at a topo map, it seems there are three options that somewhat match his description of summiting via a connecting peak.

One is following the ridge direct from Eagle Pass. There is a 9860 foot high point on the ridge, but it only has about 100 feet of relief from the next low point before continuing up toward the summit. It does not look like what would seem like a peak while climbing.

The second is traversing the broad area north of the ridge and ending up on the peak to the north-west of Eagle Peak. This is 10905 feet with a couple hundred feet of relief to a saddle before continuing up. This would be a longish trek with a lot of route finding to get to the area north of that peak where the slope lessens and the climb would likely be easier.

The third option is starting with the standard route and ending up on the nub south-west of the summit. It is at 10718 feet. This is not really a peak but the terrain falls off on all sides but the ridge to the summit. It might have seemed like a peak when topping out on it.

None of these have a "walk" to the summit. It is hard to reconcile what he wrote with the terrain, but it is also hard to tell how difficult the routes are from those points to the summit just by looking at a topo map. The third option would seem the most likely if we assume he looked at trip reports and started out trying to find the standard route.

The fact that he was willing to do what he described as free soloing and not coming up via the dog route is an extremely bad sign, especially descending in the dark with fog and the temperature falling. From the available information it seems like he was more of a peak bagger than a rock climber. Descending a rock face that is relatively easy to ascend is often surprisingly difficult and dangerous.

On AllTrails, there's a photo taken from the peak, apparently looking west as Lake Yellowstone is in the distance. You can see a ridgeline that extends SW and I believe it corresponds to your third option. That could very well be the way he came.

It is curious though. From what I can tell, the trail from the campsite to Eagle Pass looks fairly well-maintained and easy to follow. From the pass to the peak things get hairier, but you're basically going straight WSW just under the ridge as you ascend the mountain, at least until you reach the keyhole. I wonder where he got lost.

photo:

 

[Eridachtlin]

On AllTrails, there's a photo taken from the peak, apparently looking west as Lake Yellowstone is in the distance. You can see a ridgeline that extends SW and I believe it corresponds to your third option. That could very well be the way he came.

It is curious though. From what I can tell, the trail from the campsite to Eagle Pass looks fairly well-maintained and easy to follow. From the pass to the peak things get hairier, but you're basically going straight WSW just under the ridge as you ascend the mountain, at least until you reach the keyhole. I wonder where he got lost?

photo:
View attachment 537223

Wow. Great photo.

Sad but I assume the most likely possibility is he fell while descending. It is illegal to operate drones within a national park, so the best option would probably be using a spotting scope from various vantage points.

 

[CuriousCricket]

Looking at a topo map, it seems there are three options that somewhat match his description of summiting via a connecting peak.

One is following the ridge direct from Eagle Pass. There is a 9860 foot high point on the ridge, but it only has about 100 feet of relief from the next low point before continuing up toward the summit. It does not look like what would seem like a peak while climbing.

The second is traversing the broad area north of the ridge and ending up on the peak to the north-west of Eagle Peak. This is 10905 feet with a couple hundred feet of relief to a saddle before continuing up. This would be a longish trek with a l

The fact that he was willing to do what he described as free soloing and not coming up via the dog route is an extremely bad sign, especially descending in the dark with fog and the temperature falling. From the available information it seems like he was more of a peak bagger than a rock climber. Descending a rock face that is relatively easy to ascend is often surprisingly difficult and dangerous.

The free soloing caught my eye as well. And scared me. Since I'm not clear on the ratings for sleeping bags, I'm asking of those who are familiar with cold-weather outdoor survival -- Are there sleeping bags made in which he could have tucked into a protected crevice or under a rock overhang and spent a miserable night until daylight but still have survived a cold night at Eagle Peak? Since his sleeping bag was missing from the campsite (as I recall), I'm wondering if it had survived the climb with him and that was an option.

As someone mentioned he was from one of the coldest states in the country, so I've always hoped his sleeping bag would have provided ultimate protection. Is that a possibility?

 

[LookingForClues]

Since the early days of the search, when people he called said he couldn't feel his fingers, I was alarmed. It sounded like he either didn't have any gloves, he didn't have warm enough gloves, or he didn't have an extra dry pair to put on. It would be incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to descend without having dexterity in his hands. Add to that difficulty that he could not see because of the brutal weather and fogged glasses. Now we know he wrote about those same problems in the summit register. Sadly, I think it's very likely he did not make it off the mountain that night.

It was dark by the time he was starting his trip down. Any route down would have been wet, slippery, probably snow covered since a storm came through. We have no idea if he had a headlamp. What was he wearing on his feet? Hiking boots, day hikers, microspikes, crampons? I also wonder if he had extra layers of clothes. Some are wondering if he had a sleeping bag with him on his climb. It's possible, but that would be unusual since he set out thinking he would return to his camp by nightfall (was his "missing" sleeping bag for summer, shoulder seasons or winter?). We don't know if he had a bivvy or even a space blanket. Unfortunately, many people don't bring emergency supplies, even though it's standard protocol.

Those of us who hike, mountain climb, and backcountry ski have a piece of wisdom we try to live by (no pun intended): When you summit, you are only half way there. You still have to make it back down the mountain. That's why you often hear/read about people turning around before they summit. Bad weather, exhaustion, feeling sick, getting too cold or hot, having problems finding your route, these are some of the reasons people decide to turn around. It's hard to turn around when you've planned for the trip (and paid for everything to make it happen). That tunnel vision usually gets you into trouble. My husband and some friends were climbing Mt. Whitney when one of them got altitude sickness. They were about 200 feet from the summit, but they all turned around to get him back down safely. They all knew they wouldn't have another chance, but they all love being in the mountains, so the summit wasn't the only goal. The biggest goal was being in the mountains and hiking/climbing in a new place. They have no regrets.

I'm posting this YNP SAR page for people who aren't sure what this hike/climb looks like. Once you reach the mountain, there are no trails, it requires route finding, although there is a standard way people take. SAR used drones, helicopters and ground teams.

YNP SAR PAGE

I hope Austin's family and friends will get answers to where Austin is before the next storm.

 

[Eridachtlin]

We don't know if he had a bivvy or even a space blanket. Unfortunately, many people don't bring emergency supplies, even though it's standard protocol.

One of the problems is ultralight backpacking and thru hiking now dominate discussions of what gear to bring. This is particularly true for younger people who are likely to be using Reddit and Youtube for advice. The end result is minimal gear with the assumption that nothing goes wrong. The old saw about "be prepared" has gone by the wayside. With this mindset I doubt a bivvy bag would be brought, even though you can get nice emergency ones for about $50 and would be a good idea for an ascent where weather can be variable.

Complicating the matter is Austin is young so may not have had the funds to outfit himself as someone older would. One example is the lack of a satellite device like a Garmin InReach Mini. They are $400 plus a monthly subscription. For those who don't know, aside from the SOS and text messaging features, they have tracking capabilities. Every ten minutes your position is sent via satellite, and people with access to your map share can watch your movement throughout the day on a map. At the very least it gives the last known position to start searching, even if the user is unable to issue an SOS.