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The father of a 22-year-old who went missing in Yellowstone National Park a month ago has warned that if they don’t find him soon, they will be forced to abandon the search until spring.

Austin King embarked on a solo expedition on September 14 and reached the summit of Yellowstone’s highest mountain – Eagle Peak in Wyoming – three days later. But he has not been seen or heard from since and his family is concerned that efforts to find him have been reduced.

Talk to The IndependentThe Austins’ father, Brian King-Henke, said it was vital to act now: “If we don’t go now, we’ll have to wait until spring.” »

The stark warning comes as temperatures in the national park are set to drop into negative double digits as winter approaches and conditions deteriorate.

From October to April, the National Park Service closes roads as the weather deteriorates and subzero temperatures become common – conditions that make search and rescue missions much more difficult.

Austin has been missing for a month, and his father said that at the time of his hike to Eagle Peak, he carried only a few belongings, including a water bottle and a sleeping bag.

The hiker had left a voicemail for his father expressing his relief at reaching the top of the mountain after battling extreme weather conditions – which he revealed in a note left at the summit.

But his father didn’t receive the voicemail until a week after Austin made contact – he didn’t know it was the last time he would hear from him.

A few days before speaking to The IndependentBrian shared the last words his son Austin left at the summit.

“I can’t feel my fingers and my glasses are so fogged up from the unforgiving mountain weather,” the note said. “I really can’t believe I’m here after what it took to be here. I endured rain, sleet, hail and the fiercest wind I have ever felt (.)

“I couldn’t see Eagle for most of the day because of the heaviest fog I’ve ever seen in my life. I climbed too many cliffs solo to get here and hiked to the top from the connection peak – AKA that’s the wrong way. I’m 22 years old and I will never forget this day (for) the rest of my life.

“Life is beautiful, go out and LIVE IT!” » before signing his name and engraving a smiley face next to it.

Desperate, his father shared: “He was one of the best people I ever met – his little brother’s best friend. He always had a smile on his face… I can’t even find the words to explain what we are going through.

Although search and rescue teams reportedly saw footprints and remains of a fire pit on the trail, they couldn’t be sure if it was Austin.

His father has now taken matters into his own hands, organizing multiple search efforts in an effort to save his son before winter.

A GoFundMe The page has grown to $13,000 and so far more than 100 rescuers have participated in the search.

Speaking of the volunteers who showed their support, he said: “I asked God to send me an army – and he did. »