Two missing climbers found dead on mountain in Glacier National Park, rangers say

Two men left to climb a mountain in Glacier National Park and never returned. Their bodies were found days later, park officials told news outlets.

The climbers, both 67-year-old men from Montana, planned to climb Dusty Star Mountain on Thursday, July 21, the National Park Service told NBC Montana.

Family members reported them missing on Sunday, July 24, after they didn’t come back, according to the Missoulian. Rangers started a search and rescue mission and found the men’s car in the park that day.

The car was parked at the trailhead, according to MTN News. Rescuers began scouring the area by air, the news outlet reported.

“An air search began on July 24 in the Dusty Star Mountain area on the east side route of approach where vegetation is extremely dense with potentially dangerous terrain,” the National Park Service told NBC Montana. “Two Bear Air flew on July 24 in daylight and darkness.”

A helicopter crew located the men’s bodies on Monday, July 25, the Missoulian reported. Park officials were working to recover the men’s bodies and belongings.

Rangers did not publicly disclose the climbers’ names.

“Park staff would like to express their deepest condolences to the families and ask that the public respect the families’ privacy,” officials told MTN News.

This story was originally published July 26, 2022 at 9:28 AM with the headline "Two missing climbers found dead on mountain in Glacier National Park, rangers say."