Rescuers in Yellowstone National Park are searching for a missing park concession worker, Austin King, who failed to check in at the end of a personal trip. King had embarked on a weeklong trek on and around Eagle Peak but missed his scheduled pick-up at Yellowstone Lake on Friday. Despite efforts by over 20 searchers on the ground, along with helicopter crews, drones, and a canine search team, King has not been located.
King spoke to a backcountry ranger on September 16 about his plans to climb Eagle Peak the next day. He described challenging weather conditions, including fog, rain, sleet, hail, and wind. The last contact with King was on Tuesday, when he discussed the difficult conditions on the summit. Search crews found his encampment and personal items in the upper Howell Creek area, but his 2006 Chevrolet Silverado pickup with Minnesota plates remains missing.
Temperatures in Yellowstone have been cold in recent days, possibly affecting King’s well-being. He is described as 6 feet tall, 160 pounds, with hazel eyes, and was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt, gray pants, and glasses. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact the Yellowstone Interagency Communications Center.
The search effort has involved crews from Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, as well as Park and Teton counties in Wyoming. Focus is on the Yellowstone Lake area and Eagle Peak in the 2.2 million-acre park. King began his trek on September 14 and was dropped off at Terrace Point on Yellowstone Lake. Yellowstone Lake offers a shuttle boat service for backcountry access.
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