Spanish mountain tragedy reveals deceased American hiker
Cole Henderson, a 27-year-old American hiker and software engineer, tragically lost his life while hiking solo in Spain's Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park on August 8, 2025. The incident occurred on the north face of Monte Perdido, a remote and difficult-to-access area in the Pyrenees, near the border of Spain and France.
Henderson, who was based in Amsterdam and worked as an engineer for Dexter Energy, was reported missing on July 14 after he failed to return from his hiking trip. The search for Henderson involved multiple teams of search rescuers, canine handlers, search dogs, and drone pilots. His body was discovered on August 8 in the national park.
According to reports, Henderson fell approximately 200 meters during the incident. The rescuers found no signs of life on his body. Spanish authorities suspect the fall as the cause of death, but a formal cause has not yet been released. U.S. consular officials are assisting in repatriating his remains.
Henderson was a Rhodes College graduate from Memphis, Tennessee, where he earned his degree in computer science with honours in 2020. Prior to living in Amsterdam, he lived in San Francisco and Massachusetts. His LinkedIn profile details his previous employment history, which includes working for multiple companies as an engineer.
Henderson was an active member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and was known among friends as an avid hiker, runner, meticulous planner, and a warm, social person who brought others together. He was supposed to return to his home in the Netherlands before he disappeared.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Henderson maintained a personal website where he shared his thoughts and ideas on various topics. The location of Henderson's car was in the nearby town of Torla, where he parked it on July 9.
This unfortunate incident serves as a reminder of the dangers that can arise when hiking alone in remote and difficult-to-access areas. Our thoughts are with Henderson's family and friends during this difficult time.
[1] Cole Henderson's LinkedIn Profile [2] Cole Henderson's Personal Website [3] News Article on Cole Henderson's Death [4] U.S. Consular Assistance for Repatriation
- Despite his successful career in crime-and-justice focused software engineering, Cole Henderson's life was cut short due to an accident during a solo hiking trip in Spain's Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park.
- In the general news, sports and hobbies sections, it would be interesting to find Cole Henderson's passion for running and hiking, as well as his social contributions to the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, documented alongside his professional achievements.
