An Australian hiker, William Standish, 28, was found dead in a remote area between Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks after going missing for nearly a week. His body was discovered by rescuers on Wednesday morning in the Wigwams, a section of rocky peaks on the west slope of the Teton mountain range, according to the Teton County Coroner.
Standish was attempting to thru-hike the Continental Divide Trail, a journey that began in Canada. He had been in regular contact with his family via a Garmin satellite device, sharing updates as he progressed through various wilderness areas, including planned routes through the Tetons, the Gros Ventre Wilderness, the Wind River Range, and the Divide Basin. His last confirmed communication with his family was on July 23, which included a satellite check-in and a video believed to place him in the Teton area.
Concerned after not hearing from him, Standish's family contacted park officials on Monday. Search and rescue teams were deployed, and on Wednesday morning, a helicopter spotted Standish's bright orange backpack near the Wigwams, his last presumed location. His body was later recovered below the ridge south of North Wigwam Peak.
Evidence at the scene suggests Standish may have fallen from a steep, high-altitude ridgeline that separates Grand Teton National Park from the Jedediah Smith Wilderness. The exact cause and manner of his death are currently under investigation by the coroner's office. Teton County Search and Rescue extended condolences to Standish's family and friends and expressed gratitude to the federal agencies that assisted in the recovery effort.