Minnesota Man’s Tragic Disappearance: Final Note Discovered

A young Minnesota man’s solo hike in Yellowstone took a tragic turn—Austin King’s final words echo as his family holds onto hope. 🌐 #News #WinonaMN #Minnesota #MissingPerson

WINONA, MN – Austin King, a 22-year-old from Winona, Minnesota, set off on what should have been a breathtaking solo adventure in Yellowstone National Park. But as he ventured deeper into the rugged wilderness, his journey took a terrifying turn. In an eerie note left at the summit of Eagle Peak, Austin hinted at the life-threatening conditions he faced just days before he disappeared. Now, his family and friends in Winona are left hoping for a miracle as search efforts continue in the park.

A Chilling Message from the Peak

Austin King embarked on a seven-day solo hike on September 14, aiming to summit Eagle Peak, Yellowstone’s highest point. But as he reached the 11,361-foot summit on September 17, bad weather had already taken its toll.

In the summit registry, Austin left behind a haunting message: “I can’t feel my fingers and my glasses are so fogged from the ruthless weather of the mountains.” His note, shared with Cowboy State Daily by his father, captured the grueling nature of his journey, as he endured “rain, sleet, hail and the most wind I have ever felt.”

His words reflected both triumph and fear: “I truly cannot believe I am here after what it took to be here.” But the message also hinted at the dangers ahead, as he admitted to free-soloing “too many cliffs” and following “not the right path” to reach the top.

Family Leads Search Efforts

Austin’s family, who reside in Winona, were in touch with him during his hike. He had spoken to them on September 17 about the troubling weather conditions he was facing. When Austin failed to appear for his scheduled boat pickup on September 20, search and rescue teams were quickly mobilized.

Austin’s father, Brian King-Henke, has been leading local search efforts from a basecamp in Yellowstone, organizing teams to comb the area. He also launched a GoFundMe campaign to fund the rescue, with donations pouring in, surpassing the $10,000 goal.

Transition from Rescue to Recovery

On September 21, searchers discovered Austin’s camp and personal belongings in the Howell Creek area. Sadly, despite initial rescue efforts, the National Park Service transitioned the mission from rescue to recovery on October 2, recognizing the difficult odds of finding him alive after so many days in the extreme conditions.

A Final Reflection

Austin’s last entry in the summit registry leaves a powerful, bittersweet reflection on life. “I will never forget today [for] the rest of my life,” he wrote before concluding with, “Life is beautiful, go out and live it.”

As the search for Austin continues, the outpouring of support from both near and far has been a testament to the strength of community and the love for a young man who lived boldly.

In this difficult time, his family remains hopeful for closure, and those wishing to assist in their efforts can help by contributing to their GoFundMe campaign here, ensuring they have the resources needed to continue the search for their beloved son.