National park worker who vanished on hike in troubling conditions left worrying note at top of mountain
The father of a national park worker who went missing on a hike in troubling weather conditions has revealed his son wrote a note on the final day he was heard from.
Austin King, 22, began his seven-day solo hike to the summit of Eagle Peak, the highest point in Yellowstone National Park at 11,400 feet, on 14 September.
However, the Minnesota, US, native, who worked as a concession employee at Yellowstone, was not present for his return boat trip on 20 September.
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Rescue teams began looking for the young man and found his personal items in the Howell Creek area.
A handwritten note was later found in the registry at the peak of the mountain.
King's dad, Brian King-Henke, has since shared a copy of the note his son wrote with Cowboy State Daily.
Written on 17 September, King said: “I can’t feel my fingers and my glasses are so fogged from the ruthless weather of the mountains.
“I truly cannot believe I am here after what it took to be here. I endured rain, sleet, hail and the most wind I have ever felt(.)
“I free soloed too many cliffs to get here and walked up to the peak from the connecting peak – AKA not the right path.
“I am 22 years old and I will never forget today (for) the rest of my life.
“Life is beautiful, go out and LIVE IT!”
Along with the worrying note, Brian said his son also left a voicemail for him when he reached the summit.
Fellow hiker and park colleague, John Lamb, said: "We can tell by that voicemail that he was disoriented."
When he got to the peak, King also called his oldest friend Desmond McGroarty, who was working at the park.
McGroarty told the outlet: “He was super ecstatic.
“He did say his hands were cold and stuff, but it sounded like he just didn't care, because he was so excited he made it to the top.”
Superintendent Cam Sholly added: “Despite significant search efforts we have not been able to locate Austin.
“Although we will continue to hope for the best, I want to extend my deepest sympathies to Austin’s family, friends and colleagues.
“I also want to thank the teams from Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, and Park and Teton counties, Wyoming, who have all worked tirelessly to find Austin in some of the most difficult and remote terrain in Yellowstone.”
A GoFundMe for King has been set up by his father.
Topics: US News
Anish Vij