Photo credit (Big Horn County Sheriff's Department)
BASIN, Wyo. (WCCO/KFGO) – The search for a Lakeville, Minnesota man who went missing while hiking in Wyoming has been suspended.
Big Horn County authorities say they will not continue the search and rescue operation for Grant Gardner who went for a three-day hike the Bighorn National Forest.
Gardner contacted his wife July 29 saying he had made it to the summit. That’s the last time anyone heard from Gardner.
“In consultation with family members, I have made the heartbreaking and difficult decision to suspend active search and rescue operations for Mr. Gardner,” Big Horn County Sheriff Ken Blackburn said. “Our teams have exhausted all resources and personnel over the last 20 days. 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.”
The 38-year old Gardner was an experienced hiker and outdoorsman, according to his wife Lauren. She also said he was “meticulous” in his preparation. The Gardner’s have two children aged 13 and 11.
“Many team members feel like they have lost a battle by not finding Grant at this time, however it was not for a lack of effort on anyone’s part,” Blackburn concluded. “We hope clues will surface that will help bring a final closure to this tragedy in due time.”
“The Cloud Peak Wilderness is deceptively expansive, remote, and snow is starting to fall at higher elevations above 10,000 feet,” Blackburn said on Aug. 11. “Very thorough searches of these areas have been performed. Mr. Gardner could plausibly be in several areas and routes, all of which have been extensively searched.”
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