Man gone missing in Bighorn National Forest, Wyoming, following a 3-day hike; report by Sheriff originates from Minnesota.
Missing American Journalist: Search Continues in Wyoming's Bighorn National Forest
Over a week has passed since Grant Gardner, a Minnesota man, went missing while hiking in Wyoming's Bighorn National Forest. The search for Gardner is ongoing, with the U.S. Forest Service leading the efforts.
Gardner left for a three-day hike on July 28, intending to traverse the Misty Moon Lake area and summit Cloud Peak, the highest peak within the forest. According to his hiking log, he entered the area as planned. However, since that time, there has not been any contact with Gardner.
The Cloud Peak Wilderness area, covering 191,000 acres, is known for its rugged terrain and high altitude, making ground searches challenging. The specific difficulties in this search include the wilderness's steep, mountainous areas and the unpredictable weather patterns typical of Wyoming's mountains. Frequent and sudden changes, including thunderstorms, strong winds, and lightning, complicate search timing and the use of helicopters or planes with electronic tracking devices.
Gardner's vehicle was discovered in the parking lot of the West Ten Sleep trailhead, and phone records showed that he had reached the summit at Cloud Peak around 7 p.m. on July 29. Officials have expressed their sympathies to Gardner's family and expressed gratitude for the public's thoughts and prayers.
The Big Horn County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Anyone who may have had contact with Gardner is urged to contact the Big Horn Sheriff's Office or the Wyoming Missing Person Tip Line.
Search efforts have been extensive, with officials using helicopters, planes, foot teams, and canines to locate Gardner. However, conditions during the search have been extremely challenging, with at least two rescuers suffering from medical conditions and needing treatment. Difficult weather patterns, including winds, thunder, and lightning storms, have made search efforts challenging.
Updates regarding the search for Gardner will be provided as appropriate. The search continues, and the community hopes for a safe and swift resolution to this ongoing mystery.
[1] Bighorn National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/bighorn/home
[2] National Park Service website: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/searchandrescue/
- The search for Grant Gardner, an American journalist, has expanded to include international travel and weather agencies, as comprehensive understanding of the rugged Cloud Peak Wilderness area's unpredictable weather patterns is essential to locate him.
- Amidst the ongoing search for Grant Gardner, there has been an upsurge in general news coverage, with discussions on crime and justice likely to delve into the details of the incident and missing persons cases alike.
- While the search for Grant Gardner continues to dominate headlines, reports on local accidents within Wyoming's Bighorn National Forest have simultaneously increased, highlighting the inherent risks that come with recreational activities in rough terrains.
