Overview

• A professional climbing team from North Carolina noticed a reflective glint under a ledge on Cloud Peak’s north slope and alerted authorities.
• Search-and-rescue teams reached the area at daylight, aided by air transport from Greybull Airport and West Ten Sleep Trailhead with support from First Flight of Wyoming.
• Grant Gardner’s remains were found near his backpack in one of the primary search areas identified by officials.
• Authorities said his clothing closely matched the surrounding terrain, which likely hindered earlier aerial and ground detection.
• The search began Aug. 1 and was suspended after about 20 days; phone records show a summit time around 7 p.m., and the sheriff says evidence points to a tragic accident pending the coroner’s findings.