(RightIsRight.co) – It seems that the 22-year-old Yellowstone National Park employee who has been missing for over a week has not been found yet, as searches intensified every hour.
Authorities are relentlessly searching for Austin King, who has not been heard from since his last contact on September 17, 2024.
During his call from the summit of Eagle Peak, King mentioned treacherous weather conditions, including fog, rain, sleet, hail and strong winds.
The 22-year-old man was working as a concession employee at Yellowstone and embarked on a solo seven-day adventure to summit Eagle Peak.
King, who stands 6 feet tall and weighs around 160 pounds, was last seen wearing glasses, a black sweatshirt and gray pants.
Originally hailing from Winona, Minnesota, he missed his scheduled boat pickup near Yellowstone Lake’s Southeast Arm on Friday. That raised the first red flag for his family and park officials.
Moreover, search efforts span vast and hazardous high-elevation areas with snow and ice accumulations, making the search even more challenging.
Crews have traversed Eagle Peak, Eagle Pass Mountain Creek Trail, and the Eagle Creek Trailhead, and despite the grueling conditions, the National Park Service remains steadfast.
This arduous search involved 85 emergency personnel, helicopters, a search dog team, and unmanned aircraft. On the first day of the hunt, the team discovered King’s camp and personal items in the upper Howell Creek area.
Prominent search director Bobby Fay emphasized the complexity of the operations given the area’s rugged topography and unpredictable climate.
Meanwhile, King’s father, Brian King-Henke, has started a GoFundMe campaign to aid the search efforts and has raised over $1,600 out of the $5,000 goal.
As the search operations continue under favorable weather, the resilience and dedication of all involved shine through.
And with every passing moment, the park’s steep terrains and harsh weather conditions remind searchers of the unforgiving wilderness.
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