For nearly a week, the family of Shaun Mackelprang wasn’t sure that they would ever see him again. The deputy attorney general from Missouri had traveled to Wyoming with plans to hike to the summit of Gannett Peak, the largest mountain in the state. Somewhere along the way, disaster struck, and Mackelprang wound up lost in the remote Wind River Range. Shaun Mackelprang’s disappearance led to a widespread search that involved ground crews, drones, and aerial support. Six days later, the Wyoming hiker was found alive.

Early in the morning on August 26, a search team found the Missouri deputy AG near Scott Lake. Though he was dehydrated and disoriented, crews were able to arrange for a helicopter extraction at around 9:45 a.m.

The circumstances that left him stranded remain unclear. But details that have emerged since his rescue suggest that Mackelprang may have accomplished the goal that brought him to Wyoming before finding himself in a much more dangerous situation on the journey back.

A Trip to Reach Wyoming's Highest Point

While some information remains unclear, we know that Shaun Mackelprang set out from Green River Lakes Trailhead on August 20th with plans to climb Gannett Peak. Standing at an impressive 13,804 feet, it’s the highest peak in Wyoming. The peak stands in the Wind River Range, a rugged and remote terrain that’s generally tackled by experienced hikers only.

The route from the Green River Lakes Trailhead is not the kind of hike that can be treated casually. Gannett Peak's combination of elevation, distance, and backcountry terrain makes reaching its summit a serious undertaking. Mackelprang is an experienced hiker, and his decision to climb Gannett Peak wasn’t one that was made on a whim.

Number 45 of 50

According to several reports, Shaun Mackelprang is an avid climber who had set a goal to climb to the highest point in all 50 states. The peak that sits atop the Wind River Range was slated to be his 45th climb. His brother, Romel Mackelprang, told Cowboy State Daily that the family learned Mackelprang had signed the summit register at the top of Gannett Peak, which would mean that Mackelprang made it to the peak and got lost during his descent.

What began as another accomplishment in a personal challenge that has taken years turned into a fight to return home to his friends and family.

The Trouble Appears to Have Started on the Descent

Authorities have not provided a definitive account of what happened to Mackelprang after he reached the summit. The same brother who spoke to Cowboy State Daily said that they believe that Shaun became disoriented on his way back down the mountain.

There had been adverse weather conditions in the area, including strong winds and thunderstorms. Based on Mackelprang’s physical and mental state when he was found, rescuers believe that he may have faced a prolonged survival situation. As for his family, they said they were not sure about the details of his situation as of the day following his rescue.

His Vehicle Was Still at the Trailhead

The first sign that something had gone wrong was Mackelprang’s vehicle, which was left at the trailhead at Green River Lakes. That discovery was enough to give rescue crews a starting point for their search.

Search operations eventually expanded to include the Sublette County Sheriff's Office, its drone team and volunteers from Tip Top Search and Rescue. A helicopter was also used as crews searched the rugged terrain from above.

Scott Lake Became the Turning Point

Scott Lake, which is where rescuers found Mackelprang, is deep in the Wyoming backcountry, illustrating just how far he had strayed from the trail he was supposed to be on. Once crews reached him, they prepared him for helicopter extraction. The rescue took place at approximately 9:45 a.m., according to the Sublette County Sheriff's Office. Photos released after the extraction showed Mackelprang embracing loved ones.

There Are Still Questions About How He Survived

Questions remain about how Shaun Mackelprang survived for six days in the Wyoming wilderness, but rescuers and his family have remained silent. There is some speculation that Mackelprang will make an announcement soon about the events that transpired between his signing the summit registry and rescue crews finding him.

However, the most important part of the story is that he was found alive and was able to be reunited with his loved ones. Mackelprang’s 45th climb may not have gone as he had hoped, but it certainly came with a happy ending.

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