UPDATE: GTNP has released the name of the missing kayaker, Wesley Dopkins, as well as some of his identifying features. See the flyer below.
GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK — On Sunday, June 16, Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) announced that search operations were underway for a kayaker who had been missing on Jackson Lake since Saturday, June 15.
As of 9 a.m. on Monday, the kayaker has not been located yet. GTNP Chief of Staff Jeremy Barnum told Buckrail that the park is continuing its search operations by land and water today, including the use of search dogs along the shoreline.
The 43-year-old male was last seen kayaking on Jackson Lake with a friend, according to GTNP’s Sunday statement. They departed Colter Bay on Saturday, bound for Waterfalls Canyon, which is on the western shore of the lake. The two kayakers became separated around 2 p.m. High wind gusts forced the other kayaker to land at Leeks Marina, where he reported the situation. GTNP noted that wind gusts were up to 25 mph that day, and water temperatures were below 45 degrees.
GTNP rangers initiated a search for the missing kayaker on Saturday, searching by boat and by the Teton County Search and Rescue helicopter. Around 8 p.m., they found the missing kayaker’s kayak, paddle and dry bag floating near Moose Island.
Barnum said the park has no additional information about the kayaker’s whereabouts, as of Monday morning.
GTNP requests that anyone who might have spotted this person or his belongings contact the Teton Interagency Dispatch Center at (307) 739 – 3301. He was last seen wearing a red NASA baseball cap, a blue T-shirt and black shorts. GTNP noted that he was not wearing a personal flotation device.
