William Standish, 28, was found dead in the Wigwams on the western slope of the Teton Range after he stopped communicating with family on 23 July while attempting a thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail. A helicopter crew spotted an orange backpack on a steep ridgeline between Grand Teton and the Jedediah Smith Wilderness, and investigators say a fall is likely. Teton County Search and Rescue offered condolences and thanked partner agencies; the discovery follows several recent hiking-related fatalities across North America.
Australian Hiker William Standish Found Dead in Teton Range After Disappearing on Continental Divide Trail
William Standish lost contact with his family as he was hiking in Wyoming.Photograph: Teton county search and rescue
William Standish, a 28-year-old Australian attempting a thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail, was found dead in the Wigwams on the western slope of Wyoming’s Teton Range after he stopped communicating with family on 23 July, authorities said.
Search and Recovery
Rescuers located Standish on Wednesday morning after a helicopter crew spotted an orange backpack on a steep ridgeline that separates Grand Teton and the Jedediah Smith Wilderness. The Teton County coroner said investigators believe Standish likely suffered a fatal fall.
Standish had last given a detailed update from an area near Old Faithful on 19 July describing his intended route through the Tetons, Gros Ventre Wilderness, the Wind River Range and the Divide Basin. His family received a Garmin check-in and a Facebook Messenger video on 23 July that provided no coordinates; when routine updates stopped, Teton County search and rescue mounted a search operation.
Context of the Hike
Standish was attempting an end-to-end, or thru-hike, of the roughly 3,100-mile Continental Divide Trail, which begins near the Canadian border and runs south through Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico. The trail is remote and rugged in many sections, especially in the Tetons and adjacent wilderness areas.
Official Response
The Teton County Search and Rescue team said it "sends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased" and thanked federal partner agencies that assisted in the search. Local officials continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fall.
Related Incidents
Authorities noted the discovery comes amid several recent hiking-related fatalities across North America, including a lightning strike on Mount Blue Sky in Colorado, a suspected heat-related or medical death on South Mountain in Phoenix, a medical emergency in New Hampshire's White Mountains, and two fatal falls in Banff National Park, Canada.
The community and rescue teams expressed sympathy for Standish's family and emphasized the dangers of remote mountain travel and the importance of preparedness and reliable communication devices.
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