After three weeks of searching in the Bighorn Mountains around Cloud Peak, the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday that it is suspending its search for missing Minnesota hiker Grant Gardner, 38.
Big Horn County Sheriff Ken Blackburn announced the end of active Search and Rescue (SAR) Wednesday evening, calling it a “heartbreaking and difficult decision.”
“Our teams have exhausted all resources and personnel over the last 20 days,” he said in a statement. “With weather conditions and other factors updated in our search models, we have to face the reality that the most optimistic survival odds have run out.”
Blackburn said SAR operations could continue “as time and evidence allow.”
Several volunteers have vowed to continue the search on their own time, but after this much time they’ll be focusing on recovery rather than rescue.
“Many team members feel like they have lost a battle by not finding Grant at this time,” he said. “However, it was not for a lack of effort on anyone’s part. We hope clues will surface that will help bring a final closure to this tragedy in due time.”
Summit And Silence
Gardner, an experienced hiker, has been missing since July 29 after reaching the 13,166-foot summit of Cloud Peak, the tallest mountain in the Bighorns. His intended route around the Mistymoon Lake area was supposed to be completed in three days.
That evening, Gardner texted his wife, Lauren, to tell her he’d reached the summit but also that the climb “was more taxing than he expected and he was tired,” according to a report from Blackburn. He hasn’t been seen or heard from since.
The Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office mobilized a massive SAR operation on Aug. 1. Despite difficult weather, terrain and the challenges of searching at high altitudes, Blackburn deployed “considerable resources and manpower” in the search for Gardner, including multiple helicopters, airplanes, electronic tracking equipment, and personnel from Teton County SAR and the Wyoming Army National Guard.
Gardner’s vehicle was found in the West Ten Sleep trailhead parking lot, which is where he began his hike to the summit of Cloud Peak. His phone records showed that he made it to the top around 7 p.m. on July 29.
Blackburn expressed his appreciation for everyone who participated in the search for Gardner over the last 20 days. Despite the significant challenges faced during the extended search, they gave their all to the effort.
“I am proud of every volunteer and person that has dedicated themselves to this case since it was reported,” he said. “On behalf of the family, they want to personally thank each and every one of you who have offered time, resources, and prayers on their behalf. While grieving, they are humbled, and grateful beyond words.”
Difficult For Anybody
Grant Gardner was not an amateur. His wife, Lauren Gardner, said her husband was an experienced outdoorsman who anticipated and was prepared for the challenge of summiting Cloud Peak.
“He solo hikes, and he’s been hiking for over a decade,” she told Cowboy State Daily on Aug. 11. “He’s used to this stuff, and he’s very detail-oriented.”
Nevertheless, the high elevation of Cloud Peak poses a formidable challenge even for experienced mountaineers. In one of his updates, Blackburn said at least two responders "suffered medical conditions" and needed to receive medical care during the search for Grant Gardner.
The Gardners have two children, ages 13 and 11. The family has been anxiously awaiting updates from their Minnesota home while acknowledging that the chances of finding Grant alive diminished with each passing day.
Lauren has repeatedly expressed her gratitude to Blackburn, the SAR personnel and the people of Wyoming for their diligence and dedication to finding her husband. She previously told Cowboy State Daily that the massive response to find her husband was "overwhelming," and Blackburn made sure to give updates as frequently as he could.
“The search and rescue teams have been tirelessly looking for him," she said. "I keep hearing of other people and organizations that have offered their expertise and equipment to help with the search. I am extremely grateful for each and every person who has taken time out of their lives to bring Grant home. Words can't express that enough."
Andrew Rossi can be reached at arossi@cowboystatedaily.com.
