Multiple agencies haven’t given up searching for a Minnesota hiker missing for nearly a week in Wyoming’s rugged Cloud Peak Wilderness.
Grant Gardner was in northern Wyoming for a planned three-day hike around the Misty Moon Lake area, Big Horn County Sheriff Ken Blackburn says in a Monday report detailing the status of what’s become an expansive search effort for the man.
His goal was to summit the 13,166-footCloud Peak, the highest in the Bighorn Mountains. And he did that, according to a July 29 text message Gardner sent to his wife “letting her know he’d made it to the summit,” Blackburn said in his report.
“Since that time, there has not been any contact with Gardner,” he added.
The text his wife received indicated Gardner’s climb “was more taxing than he expected and he was tired,” according to Blackburn’s report.
The Search
Although nearly a week has passed since Gardner was last heard from, searchers are still hopeful of finding him, the sheriff said.
To that end, multiple search and rescue groups have pitched in, including the Wyoming Army National Guard, along with volunteers operating aircraft.
The area is remote and difficult to navigate, and “conditions are extreme and very challenging,” the sheriff reports. “At least two rescuers have suffered medical conditions and have had to receive medical care.”
Gardner’s vehicle was found in the West Ten Sleep trailhead parking lot, which is where he began his hike to the summit. His phone records also show he made it to the top around 9 p.m. July 29.
That Gardner was overdue was reported to the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office on Friday, Blackburn said in his report.
A large search effort was launched Saturday morning, and hasn’t stopped. On Monday, more searchers arrived, as well as Teton County Search and Rescue with its helicopter equipped with electronic tracking equipment.
“In addition to high altitude and terrain challenges, difficult weather patterns — including winds, thunder and lightning storms — have made search efforts difficult at various times of the day,” Blackburn says in his report.
Not Giving Up
Although Gardner remains missing after many days and nights, the sheriff said the search for him will continue, and he’s asking anyone who may have had contact with Gardner to call his office at 307-568-2324.
“The search is rapidly evolving and ongoing in the Cloud Peak Wilderness area,” he said. “The search for Gardner is continuing with multiple search agencies. “Helicopters, planes, foot teams and search dogs — all are being utilized in an attempt to locate Gardner.”
Greg Johnson can be reached at greg@cowboystatedaily.com.
