YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — Yellowstone National Park (YNP) has provided an update as search and rescue personnel continue to look for a missing park employee.
Austin King, a 22-year-old concession employee in the park, hasn’t been heard from since Sept. 17, when he contacted family from the summit of Eagle Peak. He was due back from a backcountry trek to the mountain, which YNP describes as being located in the park’s “remote southeast corner.”
Search and rescue personnel from Grand Teton National Park, Park County, WY, and Teton County Search and Rescue (TCSAR) have been assisting with the mission. Ground and aerial search operations have been underway since Saturday, Sept. 21. YNP notes that 85 personnel, two helicopters (including the TCSAR heli), a search dog team and an uncrewed aircraft are on the case.
“Searchers report accumulations of snow and ice and 6-foot drifts on Eagle Peak,” YNP’s update reads. “Teams will continue to search for the next several days as conditions continue to improve due to favorable weather forecasts.”
In its initial report of King’s disappearance, YNP shared that his camp and personal effects had been discovered on Saturday evening in the upper Howell Creek area.
Anyone with information on King’s whereabouts should contact the Yellowstone Interagency Communications Center at (307) 344 -2643. YNP said it will provide more information as it becomes available.
