The father of a Yellowstone National Park worker has revealed the terrifying last words his son wrote at the top of a Wyoming mountain peak the day he disappeared.
Austin King, 22, last had contact with his family on September 17 after reaching the summit of Eagle Peak in Wyoming – Yellowstone's tallest mountain – three days after leaving. He called his relatives to tell them he had reached the 3,500 meter summit, but he has not been seen or heard from since.
Now his father Brian King-Henke has released a note revealing the struggle his son endured while climbing the dangerous peak. Cowboy stands daily reports.
The scribbled note read: “I can't feel my fingers and my glasses are so foggy from the unforgiving weather of the mountains.
“I honestly can't believe I'm here after what it took to be here. I have endured rain, sleet, hail and the most wind I have ever felt(.)”
“I couldn't see Eagle for most of the day because of the most fog I've ever seen in my life. I've free-soloed too many cliffs to get here and walked from the connecting peak to the top – even though it's not the right path.
“I am 22 years old and I will never forget today (for the rest of my life).”
He concluded his diary entry with the words: “Life is beautiful, go out and LIVE IT!” before signing his name and engraving a smiley face next to it.
King had set out on his seven-day solo trip on September 14 after being dropped off by boat at Terrace Point.
He made contact with a ranger in the backcountry of Howell Cr. cabin on Sept. 16, the National Park Service said. But the interaction took place outside his original route, he said The Daily Mail.
Superintendent Cam Sholly said Friday that another extensive aerial survey would take place, along with teams on the ground who would have been looking at areas covered in snow a few weeks ago, reported Cowboy stands daily.
Snow is forecast to fall Thursday through Saturday, but King's father remains optimistic in the search for his son, who had only a water bottle and a sleeping bag. The independent “He had to take matters into his own hands” with searches for his son.
“I asked God to send me an army – and he did,” he said, noting that more than 100 people have gotten involved.
King-Henke revealed that his son left him a voicemail when he reached the summit, which he only listened to a week after King was reported missing.
Describing his son's zest for life and adventurous spirit, he added: 'He was one of the best people I have ever met – a best friend to his little brother. He always had a smile on his face…I can't even find the words to explain what we're going through.”
Koning-Henke has organized one GoFundMe who has so far raised $11,725 towards his sons' rescue and has urged anyone who is “able-bodied” and an “experienced hiker” to volunteer to join the Facebook search.
The 22-year-old was scheduled to return by boat to Grant Village – his home while working as an employee of Xanterra Parks and Resorts in Yellowstone – on September 20. Cowboy stands daily reported.
On October 2, the NPS announced that an extensive search has so far been conducted involving more than 100 people, including helicopters, search dogs, ground teams equipped with telescopes, trackers and a drone, to locate the man in an area of 3,225 people. mile search radius.
No definitive clues have yet been found.
The independent has contacted the NPS for comment.
