Overview

• Grant Gardner, 38, of Minnesota was last heard from on July 29 after reporting he reached the summit of Cloud Peak in the Bighorn Mountains.
• His vehicle was found at the West Ten Sleep trailhead and the hiking log confirmed he entered the area as planned, with phone records indicating an evening summit that raised concerns about a hazardous descent after dark.
• Over roughly three weeks, multi-agency teams deployed helicopters, planes, ground crews, canines and early FLIR sweeps in a rugged, high-elevation wilderness marked by boulder fields, fissures and small caves.
• Severe weather and terrain repeatedly hampered operations, and at least two rescuers required medical treatment during the effort.
• The sheriff said teams will rest before focusing on recovery when conditions or new evidence allow, as citizen volunteers continue searching for clues.