Search for Young Winona Man Who Vanished at Yellowstone National Park Takes Somber Turn

Yellowstone National Park, Wy (KROC-AM News)- The search for a young southeast Minnesota man who went missing at Yellowstone National Park has taken a somber turn. 

Read More: Young Minnesota Man Vanishes in Yellowstone National Park 

22-year-old Austin King from Winona was last heard from on Tuesday, September 17, when he called friends and family from the top of Eagle Peak, which is in the remote southeast corner of the park. 

King, who the news release says is a concession employee for a private company authorized to do business, at the park, reported fog, rain, sleet, hail and strong winds while he was at the summit. 

A news release previously issued by the U.S. National Parks Service says the search effort began on Saturday, September 21, one day after King failed to arrive for his boat pickup following a week-long backcountry trip. 

Get our free mobile app

Search for Winona Man Missing at Yellowstone National Park Shifts to Recovery Mission

On Wednesday, the National Park Service reported the search operation has shifted from a rescue to a recovery operation. Officials say more than 100 personnel were involved in air and ground search efforts. 

Authorities have deployed two helicopters, search dogs, a drone and other tools over the course of the 11-day search. The search effort has covered more than  3,225 miles and dealt with elevations ranging from 11,350 feet to 8,400 feet. 

From now on limited search efforts for the young southeast Minnesota man will continue into the foreseeable future as conditions warrant, the news release says. 

“Despite significant search efforts over the past week and a half, we have not been able to locate Austin,” said Superintendent Cam Sholly in a statement. “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.”

More Minnesota News:

• Stewartville Man Sentenced in Underage Prostitution Case 
• Rochester Man Sentenced to Probation in 'Peeping Tom' Case
• Charges - Trucker Blamed For Deadly MN Crash Distracted by Porn