YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. — The father of a Minnesota native missing in the remote wilderness of Yellowstone National Park is holding onto hope that he can find his son before a powerful winter storm rolls in Wednesday.
Brian King-Henke posted on a GoFundMe page he started to fund a private search for his son Austin that a team packing equipment and supplies and utilizing a K9 team is heading out for a final search before a strong system blows into the Rockies.
KARE 11's John Zeigler said the the storm will bring unseasonably cold air, accumulating snow and possible white-out conditions in higher elevations, like those where Austin disappeared.
"This morning we are sending out more guys and equipment and supplies and K9," Brian King-Henke posted Monday. "Tomorrow more guys will be going out... in the hopes we can find Austin before the weather changes late Wednesday into Thursday. Hoping God can hold that system off a few more days. I'm truly blessed with all of your kindness."
Austin King-Henke embarked on a solo hike in Yellowstone's backcountry on Sept. 14 and spoke to family and friends via phone three days later as he stood on the top of Eagle Peak, the highest summit in the park. It was the last time the 22-year-old was heard from. The weather at the time was described as challenging, with wind, fog, rain, sleet and hail.
Following an exhaustive 11-day search that utilized experienced wilderness rescue personnel, helicopters, dog teams and drones, the National Park Service (NPS) changed the mission to one of recovery.
"Despite significant search efforts over the past week and a half, we have not been able to locate Austin,” said park Superintendent Cam Sholly in a press release on Oct. 2.
“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.”
King-Henke's father started his GoFundMe account to allow him to take off work and organize his own search for Austin after the NPS scaled back efforts.
"I haven't given up on the impossible," Brian King-Henke wrote on Oct. 2. "Please stay strong for him and keep him in your prayers."
Austin King-Henke grew up in Winona and graduated from Cotter High School before heading west to work at Yellowstone. His Facebook page reflects a young man who loves adventure, with pictures and descriptions of mountains and remote areas he has explored.
He is described as 6 feet tall, 150 lbs. with brown hair and hazel eyes. King-Henke was last seen wearing glasses, a black sweatshirt and gray pants.