Crews scale back search for man missing in Yellowstone

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — A search for a missing man at Yellowstone National Park has changed from a rescue to a recovery.

After 11 days of searching, crews are scaling back efforts to find 22-year-old Austin King, a news release said on Wednesday.

King is believed to have gone missing in the area of ​​Eagle Peak, which is the highest point in Yellowstone National Park.

“To date, more than 100 personnel including two helicopters, search dog teams, ground teams with spotting scopes, trackers, and a drone have searched more than 3,225 miles by air and ground at elevations ranging from 11,350 feet to 8,400 feet,” the news release said.

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King, an employee of Xanterra Parks and Resorts, failed to arrive for his boat pickup near Yellowstone Lake’s Southeast Arm on the afternoon of Sept. 20, after his planned seven-day solo backcountry trip to summit Eagle Peak.

“We have not been able to locate Austin,” said Cam Sholly with Yellowstone National Park in a news release. “Although we will continue to hope for the best, I want to extend my deepest sympathies to Austin’s family, friends, and colleagues.”

Limited search efforts will continue into the foreseeable future.