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

[PrairieWind]

I'm sure the family is heartbroken. The not-knowing must really be the worst. Spring storms will bring a lot more snow up there still. I really hope eventually they can find some answers. But sadly, it is possible they will not, and as a parent myself, that would be very hard to deal with.

 

[Ab801]

I really hoped he'd have been found by now. His poor family :/

 

[PrairieWind]

I really hoped he'd have been found by now. His poor family :/

Until the weather changes (mid May at earliest) there really is just no way to search or even get into that area. Even then, searching will be difficult due to the snow pack.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

I really hoped he'd have been found by now. His poor family :/

I also really hoped they'd have found out what happened to him by now. I hope they still will. I wonder how far he got in those elements. Such a sad case.

 

[RedHaus]

Until the weather changes (mid May at earliest) there really is just no way to search or even get into that area. Even then, searching will be difficult due to the snow pack.

Right. In fact, AK's father is organizing a renewed search on July 25, if anyone missed the news ^^^. At least when he announced his search plans a while back, AK's father is hoping AK may be holed up in a Ranger's hut near Eagle Peak. Sadly, I still think AK's body will be found in a cave near the summit of Eagle Peak.

 

[SimplyCass]

Hmm. I'm wondering if the recent mass layoffs/cuts at at the federal level will affect anything negatively. I hope not but this is quite unprecedented. I mean, just as an example, open reservations for Yosemite were delayed some hours because they had lost the personnel. I'm hoping that whatever plans that AK's father has set out do not get cancelled or delayed MOO.

 

[RedHaus]

Right. In fact, AK's father is organizing a renewed search on July 25...

***,CORRECTION***

My memory failed me! The search is July 20th.

"Austin’s father said that he was doing everything in his power to fundraise for a huge search effort being scheduled for July 20 2025 once the snow has melted off the mountain ranges in Yellowstone." Source.

 

[mlhenn]

Yellowstone search for missing Winona man to resume this summer

Searchers are expected to return to Yellowstone National Park this summer to look for missing Winonan Austin King.

www.postbulletin.com

April 10 2025

Searchers are expected to return to Yellowstone National Park this summer to look for missing Winonan Austin King.

King’s father Brian King-Henke said the target date for searches to continue is July 20, but that date could change depending on snow levels in the park.

If that original plan does not work, the searches may not start until mid-August.

 

[truthfinder2019]

I really feel for this father, this is such a long period without being able to look for his son. The wait must be unbearable. Breaks my heart. :-(

 

[mlhenn]

Fundraiser upcoming to support search efforts for Winona man missing in Yellowstone National Park

Austin King of Winona has been missing in Yellowstone National Park for eight months. An upcoming fundraiser will support search efforts.

www.kimt.com

May 19 2025

As his father Brian prepares to resume search efforts this summer, a fundraiser will take place on Saturday June 28 at Trails End in Minnesota City. It will run from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Pulled pork sandwiches will be served with sides. Anyone is welcome to attend.

In the meantime, anyone with information on King's whereabouts should contact the Yellowstone Interagency Communications Center.

 

[RedHaus]

Update from Brian King-Henke, Austin's Dad. His renewed search effort will now be in August, not 7/20/2025 as he confirmed just 6 days ago.

 

[mickey2942]

Good grief. They are looking for him, on the ground. It doesn't take a helicopter and drones. He wasn't wearing anything like orange to be seen by a helicopter. And the remains are going to be difficult to find, even on the ground.

This is "boots on the ground" search. Not flying around in a helicopter. And even searching on the ground is going to be almost slim to none. But, they definitely ain't gonna see anything from a helicopter.

If the father isn't healthy enough to hike up there, flying up there isn't a good idea. I have seen healthy young men get altitude sickness, up there. Walking around there, isn't a walk around the park. It is rugged. Unmarked areas. Not a place for folks who aren't back country hikers.

 

[FoxxTraxx]

I wonder if hikers/mountain climbers currently in the vicinity of Eagle Peak are aware that Austin is missing. Sometimes signs are posted at trailheads/campsites regarding missing persons. My understanding is that Eagle Peak did not attract many visitors due to its remoteness and difficulty in climbing, but a few more eyes could uncover some clues.

 

[iamshadow21]

I wonder if hikers/mountain climbers currently in the vicinity of Eagle Peak are aware that Austin is missing. Sometimes signs are posted at trailheads/campsites regarding missing persons. My understanding is that Eagle Peak did not attract many visitors due to its remoteness and difficulty in climbing, but a few more eyes could uncover some clues.

I think that wherever Austin ended up, it's unlikely to be on a trail, so he's unlikely to be found by people sticking to the route. He obviously got completely turned around and summited via a path that didn't exist. His message in the book sounded like he was not quite right mentally, probably from exhaustion and hypothermia. I think he wandered from known trails or fell after that. I don't know which of those is the kinder end. If he's ever found, I think it's only going to be by SAR. There's a good chance he won't be found at all. It's very rugged country, and after this long, animals and the weather and the bugs will have done their work turning him into part of the landscape on top of the regular course of decomposition.

It's a sad thing, and I hope that his father doesn't spend the rest of his life chasing his physical remains.

MOO

 

[mickey2942]

I wonder if hikers/mountain climbers currently in the vicinity of Eagle Peak are aware that Austin is missing. Sometimes signs are posted at trailheads/campsites regarding missing persons. My understanding is that Eagle Peak did not attract many visitors due to its remoteness and difficulty in climbing, but a few more eyes could uncover some clues.

Most mountain climbers are climbing in pursuit of their goals. Not searching for remains.

I was absolutely horrified when reading about mountain climbing incidents at Mount Everest, climbers ignoring people who are in need of help, and there are even bodies on the trail, that people pass.

Of course, this is not Mount Everest. But hikers are probably not going to search around for remains. After all, SAR couldn't find any thing last year, so it isn't like he is sprawled on a trail.

There are so many areas up there, that a slip on the wrong area, can lead to a rock slide. I experienced that once myself, on a scree slope, went about 3 feet...so, that area has lots of places like that.

Hope his parents can find peace that their son was doing what he loved.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Most mountain climbers are climbing in pursuit of their goals. Not searching for remains.

I was absolutely horrified when reading about mountain climbing incidents at Mount Everest, climbers ignoring people who are in need of help

It wouldn't hurt for hikers in the area to be aware of the clothing and possessions of a missing person, though. Just in case they come across (sorry) a bone, they could document it's location for authorities, instead of just assuming it's from an animal. Or if they came across scraps of clothing/shoes, they wouldn't just ignore them. Again, they could photograph them and document their location.

I wonder if Everest hikers who ignore other hikers in need regret it later. I imagine your mental state while doing this kind of hiking isn't at its best.

 

[iamshadow21]

It wouldn't hurt for hikers in the area to be aware of the clothing and possessions of a missing person, though. Just in case they come across (sorry) a bone, they could document it's location for authorities, instead of just assuming it's from an animal. Or if they came across scraps of clothing/shoes, they wouldn't just ignore them. Again, they could photograph them and document their location.

I wonder if Everest hikers who ignore other hikers in need regret it later. I imagine your mental state while doing this kind of hiking isn't at its best.

People who climb above a certain altitude sign waivers in the event of their death. Between hypothermia, falls, avalanche, and HACE/HAPE, 1% of climbers of Everest die. In the death zone above 8000 metres, there is not enough oxygen to sustain life for long and it is not possible to rescue by helicopter or recover remains. Hence the large number of human beings who die and remain on the mountain, creating trail markers like Rainbow Valley and Green Boots. People that high are struggling just to survive themselves, and it's probable that attempting to help someone in severe distress or fatal collapse could result in their own death. George Mallory has been up there since 1924. The amount of Sherpa deaths is astronomical, and shameful, given the pittance they are paid.

I think, if you're determined to climb, you are very well aware of the high chance you'll be leaving a fellow human behind to die, or that you'll be left yourself. The history of the mountain is written in bones, frozen bodies, and bright nylon.

(My mum is obsessed with mountaineering, I know a lot about it because of this.)

Eagle Peak isn't Everest, but it is very dangerous in its own way. Austin didn't take those risks as seriously as he should, and he paid the price so many climbers pay. It's very sad, and my heart bleeds for his father, but he wouldn't have been unaware of those risks. Those who climb, especially solo, know them and know that there's a chance every time they climb that they won't be coming home.

MOO

 

[Cedars]

People who climb above a certain altitude sign waivers in the event of their death. Between hypothermia, falls, avalanche, and HACE/HAPE, 1% of climbers of Everest die. In the death zone above 8000 metres, there is not enough oxygen to sustain life for long and it is not possible to rescue by helicopter or recover remains. Hence the large number of human beings who die and remain on the mountain, creating trail markers like Rainbow Valley and Green Boots. People that high are struggling just to survive themselves, and it's probable that attempting to help someone in severe distress or fatal collapse could result in their own death. George Mallory has been up there since 1924. The amount of Sherpa deaths is astronomical, and shameful, given the pittance they are paid.

I think, if you're determined to climb, you are very well aware of the high chance you'll be leaving a fellow human behind to die, or that you'll be left yourself. The history of the mountain is written in bones, frozen bodies, and bright nylon.

(My mum is obsessed with mountaineering, I know a lot about it because of this.)

Eagle Peak isn't Everest, but it is very dangerous in its own way. Austin didn't take those risks as seriously as he should, and he paid the price so many climbers pay. It's very sad, and my heart bleeds for his father, but he wouldn't have been unaware of those risks. Those who climb, especially solo, know them and know that there's a chance every time they climb that they won't be coming home.

MOO

I agree, there are no delusions in the climbing/scrambling community. In fact, they admire and are drawn to the extreme risk of death in what they are doing, it is what makes it exciting and worth attempting. They are bored by a simple walk in the park.

When a friend of their own dies they will not feel sad, they'll say "They were doing what they loved", and want their their own loved ones to feel the same about them.

JMO

 

[RedHaus]

Fascinating.

A Hiker Was Missing for Nearly a Year—Until an AI System Recognized His Helmet

Using AI to analyze thousands of frames taken by drone, The Piedmontese Alpine Rescue team has found the body of a doctor who had been missing since September 2024.

www.wired.com

 

[RedHaus]

Search update from AK's Mom on FB. Italicized, bolded and oranged by me.

"Family and Friends,

I want to start with saying thank you for all the love, support and prayers you have given my family over the last year. Austin is deeply loved and missed by so many. He touched countless hearts in ways that will never be forgotten.

We're incredibly thankful to receive support from the John Francis Foundation. The foundation will be leading a search in Yellowstone the week of August 11th. The foundation has trained tactical teams and several search dogs. We are overwhelmed by the commitment and resources the foundation has committed to find Austin.

My immediate family is traveling to Yellowstone August 10th through the 18th so we can be there during the search. We plan to retrace Austin's hike through the backcountry to the base of Eagle Peak. We hope to experience for ourselves what he found so magical about Yellowstone during our search..."

...Forever Austin’s Mom"

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

www.facebook.com