Missing CDT Thru-Hiker Found Dead in Tetons

A southbound CDT thru-hiker who had been reported missing was found dead Wednesday morning in a remote part of Wyoming’s Teton Range. He has been identified as 28-year-old William Standish of Australia.

Standish had been keeping family members updated during his hike via a Garmin satellite device. According to Teton County Search and Rescue (TCSAR), he sent an update on July 19 from near Old Faithful and described his planned route in the Tetons, Gros Ventre Wilderness, the Wind River Range, and Divide Basin.

The family received one more Garmin check-in on July 23 that came without coordinates or a message, “as well as a video via Facebook Messenger that they believe placed him in the Tetons,” according to TCSAR. They grew concerned after not hearing from him again and contacted park officials on July 27.

After the park determined that the July 23 message had come from an area between Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks known as the Wigwams, TCSAR sent a helicopter team to the area. Rescuers spotted Standish’s bright orange backpack from the air and soon found him below the ridge south of North Wigwam Peak. His remains were ultimately transferred to the Teton County Coroner’s Office.

According to TCSAR, evidence suggests that Standish may have fallen from a steep, high-altitude ridgeline that separates Grand Teton National Park and the Jedediah Smith Wilderness. 

“TCSAR sends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased, and wishes to express its gratitude to the partnering federal agencies who assisted in the investigation,” the organization said. 

Standish’s trail family has started a GoFundMe to help defray the costs of returning his remains to his family in Australia.

Featured image: Teton County Search and Rescue