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

[Gophers_FTW]

Free climbing - without equipment - is a thing.

In Austin's summit message, he mentioned he 'free soloed too many cliffs' on his way up because he got lost. WY - WY - Austin King, 22, Yellowstone National Park, Eagle Peak, 17 Sept 2024

If you want search maps, go right back to the beginning of the thread, there are lots showing the areas covered in the initial days.

MOO

Yes, I know free climbing is a thing. I'm just saying that there is no evidence that Grant was free climbing, free soloing, or climbing with gear. I've hiked to the Cloud Peak summit where Grant was last known to be, but don't refer to myself as a 'mountain climber'. JMO.

I'm caught up on Austin's case, though I didn't know about it until I saw above article. I find it interesting that Austin's thread on here has so much activity vs. Grant's more recent case which was so similar. Also, that detailed search maps were publicly released in Austin's case but not for Grant that I've seen. Maybe because one was in a national park vs. a national forest? Or am I missing something?

Both men (from MN) contacted their loved ones from the summit of a Wyoming mountain on their phone (while experiencing tough conditions), and were reported missing several days later after not returning as expected. Their campsites and vehicles have been found, but no sign of them after huge searches. And now both are officially recovery missions.

 

[iamshadow21]

DBM

 

[iamshadow21]

Yes, I know free climbing is a thing. I'm just saying that there is no evidence that Grant was free climbing, free soloing, or climbing with gear. I've hiked to the Cloud Peak summit where Grant was last known to be, but don't refer to myself as a 'mountain climber'. JMO.

I'm caught up on Austin's case, though I didn't know about it until I saw above article. I find it interesting that Austin's thread on here has so much activity vs. Grant's more recent case which was so similar. Also, that detailed search maps were publicly released in Austin's case but not for Grant that I've seen. Maybe because one was in a national park vs. a national forest? Or am I missing something?

Both men (from MN) contacted their loved ones from the summit of a Wyoming mountain on their phone (while experiencing tough conditions), and were reported missing several days later after not returning as expected. Their campsites and vehicles have been found, but no sign of them after huge searches. And now both are officially recovery missions.

But this isn't a thread for Grant, it's a thread for Austin.

MOO

 

[ch_13]

I'm caught up on Austin's case, though I didn't know about it until I saw above article. I find it interesting that Austin's thread on here has so much activity vs. Grant's more recent case which was so similar. Also, that detailed search maps were publicly released in Austin's case but not for Grant that I've seen. Maybe because one was in a national park vs. a national forest? Or am I missing something?

I think that's mostly it. Especially as it's Yellowstone, perhaps the country's premiere national park. Anything that happens there is newsworthy. Looking back to the first page of this thread, CBS and NBC picked up AK's story pretty quickly, while GG has mostly received only local coverage.

And, as you mention, there was a lot more detail released by the Park Service, so there was more to discuss in the thread and the more times it popped to the top of the "New Posts" list, the more people saw it and joined the discussion. The hi-res photos in particular brought about a lot of speculation as people searched through them for any details that stood out.

Also, I think there's a bit more mystery as to what happened to AK, which also fueled the discussion. GG was on an out-and-back trail. While it's possible he took another way down, in all likelihood, he returned via the same trail back to the parking lot but fell somewhere on his return trip. In contrast, it was possible that AK actually made it down from Eagle Peak and was lost somewhere in the vast Yellowstone backcountry. There were just a lot more places where AK could be.

 

[RedHaus]

A new video update from AK's Dad. I'll watch it after my doctor's appointment!

Help Bring Austin King Home | Facebook

www.facebook.com

 

[Gophers_FTW]

I think that's mostly it. Especially as it's Yellowstone, perhaps the country's premiere national park. Anything that happens there is newsworthy. Looking back to the first page of this thread, CBS and NBC picked up AK's story pretty quickly, while GG has mostly received only local coverage.

And, as you mention, there was a lot more detail released by the Park Service, so there was more to discuss in the thread and the more times it popped to the top of the "New Posts" list, the more people saw it and joined the discussion. The hi-res photos in particular brought about a lot of speculation as people searched through them for any details that stood out.

Also, I think there's a bit more mystery as to what happened to AK, which also fueled the discussion. GG was on an out-and-back trail. While it's possible he took another way down, in all likelihood, he returned via the same trail back to the parking lot but fell somewhere on his return trip. In contrast, it was possible that AK actually made it down from Eagle Peak and was lost somewhere in the vast Yellowstone backcountry. There were just a lot more places where AK could be.

Thanks! I really appreciate your thoughtful response. I really hope they can find AK and get some answers for the family.

My apologies to anyone that I annoyed. I'll stay away now.

 

[RedHaus]

Thanks! I really appreciate your thoughtful response. I really hope they can find AK and get some answers for the family.

My apologies to anyone that I annoyed. I'll stay away now.

No bother at all. We all learn from each other.

Here's a thought for you. Us sleuthers don't have to be passive observers and investigators.

Many OPs, myself included, will take action when appropriate such as scouring images, videos, similar unsolved murder cases, for clues and then reporting tips to LE or SARs.

Heck, there are tales of WS'ers finding missing people or identifying Jane / John Does. My favorite, albeit tragic, is the case of Susan McLean.

You may want to consider sending some of the local media coverage of GG's dissappearance to national outlets to help them pick up and spread the story. The rational of course is to increase public awareness, especially for folks hiking / camping in the area GG disappeared.

Before the snow starts falling...

IMO.

ET: Susan McLean case example

 

[sunspun]

No bother at all. We all learn from each other.

Here's a thought for you. Us sleuthers don't have to be passive observers and investigators.

Many OPs, myself included, will take action when appropriate such as scouring images, videos, similar unsolved murder cases, for clues and then reporting tips to LE or SARs.

Heck, there are tales of WS'ers finding missing people or identifying Jane / John Does. My favorite, albeit tragic, is the case of Susan McLean.

You may want to consider sending some of the local media coverage of GG's dissappearance to national outlets to help them pick up and spread the story. The rational of course is to increase public awareness, especially for folks hiking / camping in the area GG disappeared.

Before the snow starts falling...

IMO.

ET: Susan McLean case example

@RedHaus Well, I just spent the entire day reading about the incredible case of Susan McLean. First I had ever heard about it. I read every post (there are I think 44 pages!) Just wanted to thank you for suggesting it and providing the link.

 

[RedHaus]

Another video update from AK's Dad, Brian King-Henke, from this morning.

1.8K views · 68 reactions | Update on morning after being evacted out. | Brian King-Henke

Update on morning after being evacted out..

www.facebook.com

 

[RedHaus]

In honor of @Gophers_FTW 's contributions here, GG has been found, deceased on Cloud Peak, WY.

I so hope the same can be said for AK!!

Body of missing Minnesota climber found in Cloud Peak Wilderness

Grant Gardner's tragic ending in Cloud Peak Wilderness offers closure to the family after extensive search efforts.

www.kare11.com

 

[RedHaus]

A heartbreaking final update from Brian Henke-King, AK's Dad, on their last search for 2025.

1.4K views · 64 reactions | Thank you to Bill, Conner, Ted, Roger, John, Joe, Brit, Jason, Ken, Tom,Jim, Joe B., and everyone who was on this journey with me. | Brian King-Henke

Thank you to Bill, Conner, Ted, Roger, John, Joe, Brit, Jason, Ken, Tom,Jim, Joe B., and everyone who was on this journey with me..

www.facebook.com

 

[MelmothTheLost]

In my state (Colorado) there has been a sharp increase in rescue requests. Not any one reason. Weather is near normal. More requests could be true elsewhere too.

I'd suggest that social media has something to do with it - people posting selfies from the summit of Mount Bumrush to their insta or TikTok account, leading the ill-prepared to decide to give it a go.

 

[arielilane]

For those interested, Grant Gardner's thread. As stated, his remains have been found.

C

WY Post in thread 'Grant Gardner 38, Missing while hiking to Cloud Peak in WY. Last heard from 7/29/2025'

Aug 29, 2025

Body Of Missing Minnesota Hiker Found, Recovered From Bighorn Mountains

The Big Horn County Sheriff's Office confirmed Thursday that the body of Grant Gardner, 38, has been found and recovered from Cloud Peak in the Bighorn…

cowboystatedaily.com

From the article:
The Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the body of Grant Gardner, 38, was found on the northern route of Cloud Peak on Tuesday evening. Gardner had summited that peak on July 29, which was also the last time anyone had been in contact with him.

@Gophers_FTW had suggested that GG may have ended up on the north side and it seems like they were correct. It's a bit curious how GG ended up there. Maybe he became disoriented?

• ch_13

• 

 

[arielilane]

I recently listened to a podcast some on this thread might enjoy - I won't spoil the outcome but its about a man who went missing on a hike in the mountains of Utah. It provides a window into some of the elements involved in a case like this. Name of the podcast is Uinta Triangle - its by Dave Cawley, host of the Cold Podcast which covered the case of Susan Powell. Also an excellent podcast if you haven't listened to it.

@Jinkasaurus, thank you so much for the recommendation. The episodes were all so interesting and relatable. I highly recommend anyone who hikes the great outdoors (wilderness) should listen to this podcast (every episode well done). Though, I wouldn't listen to it while out on the trails. lol

 

[CrimeDawg123]

For those interested, Grant Gardner's thread. As stated, his remains have been found.

C

WY Post in thread 'Grant Gardner 38, Missing while hiking to Cloud Peak in WY. Last heard from 7/29/2025'

Aug 29, 2025

Body Of Missing Minnesota Hiker Found, Recovered From Bighorn Mountains

The Big Horn County Sheriff's Office confirmed Thursday that the body of Grant Gardner, 38, has been found and recovered from Cloud Peak in the Bighorn…

cowboystatedaily.com

From the article:
The Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the body of Grant Gardner, 38, was found on the northern route of Cloud Peak on Tuesday evening. Gardner had summited that peak on July 29, which was also the last time anyone had been in contact with him.

@Gophers_FTW had suggested that GG may have ended up on the north side and it seems like they were correct. It's a bit curious how GG ended up there. Maybe he became disoriented?

• ch_13

• 

These two cases seem so similar

 

[PrairieWind]

These two cases seem so similar

There really are, at least on the surface. Just a coincidence that both were from Minnesota I think.

 

[PrairieWind]

A heartbreaking final update from Brian Henke-King, AK's Dad, on their last search for 2025.

1.4K views · 64 reactions | Thank you to Bill, Conner, Ted, Roger, John, Joe, Brit, Jason, Ken, Tom,Jim, Joe B., and everyone who was on this journey with me. | Brian King-Henke

Thank you to Bill, Conner, Ted, Roger, John, Joe, Brit, Jason, Ken, Tom,Jim, Joe B., and everyone who was on this journey with me..

www.facebook.com

That is heartbreaking to listen to. I can't imagine that father's pain. Losing a son would be so very painful. But not even knowing where he is would be almost unbearable I think.