Yellowstone Mystery Deepens as Search for Austin King Continues

The search for missing Yellowstone National Park employee Austin King reaches its second week, with rescuers refusing to give up hope.

At a Glance

Authorities are searching for missing Yellowstone National Park employee Austin King, 22.
King last made contact on September 17, 2024, reporting bad weather from Eagle Peak.
Search efforts involve over 20 ground personnel, helicopters, drones, and a search dog team.
King failed to show up for his expected boat pickup near Yellowstone Lake.

Details of the Search

The search for Austin King, a 22-year-old concession employee at Yellowstone National Park, continues into its second week. King, originally from Minnesota, last contacted his family on September 17, 2024. He was at the top of Eagle Peak, describing fog, rain, sleet, hail, and windy conditions. King is 6 feet tall, weighing around 150-160 pounds, with tattoos and glasses, dressed in a black sweatshirt, gray pants, and carrying a dark-colored backpack.

King was dropped off by boat on September 14, intending to climb Eagle Peak. He had planned on staying at site 6D8 for the night. On the following Monday, he spoke with a backcountry ranger near Howell Creek. Authorities initiated a search and rescue operation on the morning of September 21 after King failed to arrive for his boat pickup near Yellowstone Lake’s Southeast Arm.

Austin King, 22, has been missing since he failed to return from a week-long solo excursion to summit Eagle Peak, the highest point in Yellowstone. https://t.co/4e6Y8jj9km

— The Star Press (@TheStarPress) September 24, 2024

Search Conditions and Efforts

The challenging weather and rough terrain hamper search efforts. Rescuers discovered King’s camp in the upper Howell Creek area on the evening of September 21. His last known location was in the vicinity of Eagle Peak, which rises 11,358 feet and is the highest point in the park. The area is remote and difficult to access, nearly 9 miles from Yellowstone Lake’s Southeast Arm.

The search team includes over 20 ground personnel, aerial helicopters, drones, and a search dog team. More than 85 emergency personnel from Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Parks, and Wyoming’s Park and Teton counties are involved in the search. Efforts focus on Eagle Peak, Eagle Pass Mountain Creek Trail, and Eagle Creek Trailhead, utilizing aerial and ground reconnaissance to cover the expansive and hazardous high-elevation area.

Austin King, 22, has been missing since he failed to return from a week-long solo excursion to summit Eagle Peak, the highest point in Yellowstone. https://t.co/GI80ad3rfN

— Corpus Christi Caller-Times (@callerdotcom) September 24, 2024

Public Involvement and Family’s Plea

The National Park Service has released King’s description in their missing person flier, asking the public, especially those who have been in the backcountry near Eagle Peak since September 14, to report any sightings or information on King’s whereabouts. Information can be reported to the Yellowstone Interagency Communications Center at 307-344-2643.

King’s father has also started a GoFundMe to support the rescue efforts, raising over $1,600 of a $5,000 goal. His grandfather, Richard King, is providing updates on Facebook, ensuring constant communication with the public and media. With favorable weather forecasts, search conditions are expected to improve in the coming days, offering a glimmer of hope for the ongoing efforts to find Austin King.