Search efforts for a Minnesota man who last learned in July were suspended after 20 days, since the authorities say that their “more optimistic survival probabilities have been exhausted.”
Grant Gardner had planned on a three -day walk “through the Misty Moon Lake area, and will finally invent Cloud Peak,” according to a statement from the Sheriff’s office of Big Horn County in Wyoming. It was last heard when he contacted his wife on July 29, saying that he had arrived at the summit, but “since then there has been no contact with Gardner,” authorities said.
On Wednesday, after a 20 -day search, the authorities announced that they have suspended Gardner’s search and rescue operations in consultation with their family members.
“During the last 20 days, Big Horn staff and Wyoming Sar staff have been diligently looking for Mr. Gardner of Minnesota,” said the Big Horn County Sheriff, Ken Blackburn, in his statement. “In consultation with family members, I have taken the heartbreaking and difficult decision to suspend active search and rescue operations for Mr. Gardner. Our teams have exhausted all resources and personnel in the last 20 days. With the climatic conditions and other factors updated in our search models, we have to face the reality that the most optimistic probabilities of survival have been exhausted.”
Search efforts for a Minnesota man who last learned in July were suspended after 20 days, since the authorities say that their “more optimistic survival probabilities have been exhausted.”
Big Horn County Sheriff Office
The authorities discovered Gardner’s vehicle earlier this month in the parking lot of the West Ten Sleep path, where their trip began, and also learned through the hiking registry at the beginning of the path that had entered the area “as indicated in its hiking plan,” the authorities said.
The telephone records also revealed that it had reached the summit in Cloud Peak, which is about 13,000 feet, at approximately 7 pm, which was worrisome for the officials due to the “lack of visible paths through cliffs, wood line, rock fields and other dangers that had to navigate after reaching clear and safe paths,” officials said officials. “
“Our teams will rest, then the search and recovery efforts will begin as allowed time and evidence. Many citizen and outdoor volunteers people continue to seek clues in an effort to bring peace to this family,” said Blackburn. “On behalf of the family, you want to personally thank each and every one of you who have offered time, resources and prayers in your name. While they are grieved, you are humiliated and grateful beyond words.”
The authorities said they have widely searched Gardner using helicopters, airplanes, feet and canine equipment, but “the conditions are extremely challenging”, with at least two rescuers who suffer “medical conditions” and need treatment.
The Bighorn National Forest has more than 1 million acres, with 191,000 acres dedicated to the Wilderness area of Cloud Peak, which is where Gardner is believed to be traveling, according to the United States forest service.
“Many team members feel that they have lost a battle by not finding Grant at this time, however, it was not for lack of effort on the part of anyone,” said Blackburn. “We hope that the clues go to the surface that help bring a final closure to this tragedy in due time.”
ABC News’
