Yellowstone worker, 22, missing after phone call about inclement weather from mountain peak
Crews are desperately searching for a Yellowstone National Park employee who vanished after he spoke with his family about troubling weather conditions on a mountain peak.
Austin King, 22, last spoke to his family and friends from the summit of Eagle Peak around 7 p.m. local time on Sept. 17, according to the National Park Service.
When he touched base with loved ones, King described fog, rain, sleet, hail and windy conditions.
The Minnesota native, who worked as a concession employee in the park, started his solo hike on Sept. 14.
He spoke to a backcountry ranger near Howell Creek on Sept. 16 — which was a diversion from his planned route, the park announcement noted.
Rescue crews sprung into action when King failed to appear for his scheduled boat pickup on Friday afternoon.
On Saturday, searchers reported finding his camp and personal items in the Howell Creek area.
More than 20 ground searchers, two helicopters, unnamed air systems and a search dog team participated in the search efforts on Sunday, the NPS said.
As the new week got underway, the crews continued to comb remote areas around Eagle Peak, Eagle Pass Mountain Creek Trail and Eagle Creek Trailhead.
King’s father, Brian King-Henke, started a GoFundMe to help continue the rescue efforts.
“Family are keeping an open mind for him to come home. Please keep Austin in your prayers,” the desperate dad wrote.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the fundraiser had raked in over $1,600 of its $5,000 goal.
King’s grandfather, Richard King, also shared occasional updates on his Facebook account.
“Come on kid, show us where you are. 2 helicopters, 4 boats, a drone, 48 people on the ground and a dog are all out there,” he posted Monday.
Austin King is described as a white male who is 6 feet tall and 160 pounds, according to officials.
He has brown hair and hazel eyes and was last seen wearing glasses, gray pants and a black sweatshirt.
