MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, Wyo. — A search and rescue mission is underway at Yellowstone National Park, where a park employee was reported missing earlier this week.
Austin King, 22, was last heard from on Sept. 17, when he called friends and family from the summit of Eagle Peak in the park’s remote southeast corner. A concession employee at the park, King was reported overdue to the Yellowstone Interagency Communications Center after he failed to arrive for his boat pickup near Yellowstone Lake’s Southeast Arm on Friday, Sept. 20, after his planned seven-day back-country trip to the summit of Eagle Peak.
While on the summit, King described fog, rain, sleet, hail and windy conditions.
Search and rescue efforts began Saturday with aerial reconnaissance and ground search operations in the high mountain areas of Eagle Peak and the surrounding areas, including Yellowstone Lake.
Rescuers discovered King’s camp and personal gear Saturday evening in the upper Howell Creek area.
On Sunday, more than 20 ground searchers, two helicopters, unmanned air systems and a search dog team focused their efforts near Eagle Peak.
Anyone with information regarding King’s whereabouts are asked to contact the Yellowstone Interagency Communications Center at 307-344-2643.
