BASIN, Wyo. — The search for missing Minnesota hiker Grant Gardner, who was last heard on July 29 after summiting Cloud Peak in the Cloud Peak Wilderness, continues. Search and rescue efforts now incorporate a variety of methods and technologies.
According to Big Horn County Sheriff Ken Blackburn, the following methods are being used to locate Gardner:
Drones, equipped with cameras capable of “identifying colors and minute disturbances”
Drones, helicopters and planes with FLIR capabilities.
Bluetooth/cellphone detection equipment
Dog tracking teams
Horse and foot teams
Wyoming National Guard
Private Pilots
First Flight of Wyoming
Big Horn County, Johnson County, Sheridan County, Washakie County, Park County and Teton County search and rescue teams
Big Horn County Dispatch
Big Horn County Emergency Management
Wyoming Office of Homeland Security
Garmin GPS
OnX Mapping
U.S. Forest Service
Big Horn National Forest personnel
Private individuals have also contributed to the effort by scouring the area on foot. However, the sheriff cautioned that those unfamiliar with the wilderness should not attempt to assist.
“The Cloud Peak Wilderness is deceptively expansive and remote and snow is starting to fall at higher elevations above 10,000 feet,” according to Blackburn. “A very thorough search of this area has been conducted. Mr. Gardner could be in several locations and routes, all of which have been thoroughly searched.
Any tips from hikers familiar with the area should be directed to Big Horn County dispatch at 307-568-2324.
