He Went Missing While Hiking In Yellowstone National Park After Calling His Loved Ones When He Reached The Summit Of Eagle Peak
Austin King, a 22-year-old from Winona, Minnesota, began working at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming earlier this year.
Throughout the spring and summer, he specifically worked for a park concession known as Xanterra Parks and Resorts, which provided lodging and tourism services.
Then, in September, Austin decided to go on a week-long climb of Yellowstone National Park’s highest point, known as Eagle Peak.
He planned the trip to celebrate the end of the summer, and he wanted to achieve the summit as a personal accomplishment.
So, on September 14, a boat dropped Austin off at Terrace Point, which is located along Yellowstone Lake’s southeast arm, to begin his journey.
A park ranger last saw Austin on September 16. He was at Howell Creek Cabin, a spot that wasn’t originally on his intended route.
He reportedly talked to the ranger about his plans to climb Eagle Peak the following day, and that evening, he stayed at campsite 6D8.
September 17 marked the last time he was ever heard from. He’d made it to the top of Eagle Peak, which towers at over 11,300 feet, and reached out to some loved ones. He called his parents and at least two friends around 7:00 p.m.
During these conversations, he shared that environmental conditions were challenging that night, describing wind, fog, rain, sleet, and even hail.
Alexander – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only
After making those calls, Austin was never seen or heard from again.
Three days later, Austin did not show up for his scheduled boat pickup on September 20. At that point, he was reported to the Yellowstone Interagency Communications Center.
The next day, widespread searches were launched by the National Park Service. According to Austin’s father, Brian King-Henke, authorities used all the resources they could.
“They have everything you could possibly think of [out there]. Helicopters, drones, searchers, dogs, equipment, and people in boats along shorelines. They threw everything they had at it,” he detailed.
Upon learning of his son’s disappearance, Brian also spent days in Yellowstone as the search unfolded. He has since gone back to Winona, where he continues holding onto hope that Austin will be found.
Authorities recovered Austin’s camp and personal belongings in the region of upper Howell Creek. However, his whereabouts remain unknown, and the National Park Service claimed that Austin’s rescue had been transitioned to a recovery mission on October 2.
“After 11 days of searching, Yellowstone National Park will scale back efforts to locate Austin King in the vicinity of Eagle Peak and transition from a rescue to recovery today, Oct. 2.,” the National Park Service said in a press release.
“To date, more than 100 personnel, including two helicopters, search dog teams, ground teams with spotting scopes, trackers, and a drone, have searched more than 3,225 miles by air and ground at elevations ranging from 11,350 feet to 8,400 feet. Unfortunately, they have not found any definitive clues as to King’s current whereabouts.”
Nonetheless, Brian refuses to give up until he receives “that final call.”
“I haven’t got the call yet to say he’s no longer with us. I’ve seen the impossible [become] possible, so I’m going to hold on to that hope until one day…,” he trailed off.
If Austin is no longer alive, Brian claimed that he would “accept it.”
“But as of right now, I don’t,” he stated.
Austin also has two brothers, two sisters, and his mother, who are all hoping for his safe return.
Austin is six feet tall, weighs 150 pounds, and has brown hair and hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing gray pants, a black sweatshirt, and a colored backpack. He also wears glasses and has tattoos.
Anyone with information regarding his case is urged to contact the Yellowstone Communications Center.
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