Summit County Search and Rescue crews are on day two of searching for a fit, 25 year old man from Boise – who has his sights set on summiting Utah’s highest peak - Kings Peak.
On Thursday just after midnight, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office received a report of 25-year-old Kyle Wimpenny who had not returned home from a hiking trip as planned. Wimpenny had left his home on Sunday (September 13, 2020) to backpack in the High Uintas with plans to summit Kings Peak.
According to Summit County Sheriff Public Information Officer Lt. Andrew Wright, Wimpenny had told his roommate he would be back by Wednesday, but to call authorities in the event he didn’t return.
“Apparently, he had left Boise, ID Sunday morning with plans to hike Kings Peak,” Wright said. “He told his roommate he would be back Wednesday evening and if he did not return, to call someone. The roommate said that he thought that he was kind of joking around about that but unfortunately, he never returned Wednesday evening. So, just after midnight, early Thursday morning, that roommate called our Sheriff's Office and relayed to us what the plans were and that he had not returned. So, we immediately sent resources up to the area. In fact, it was Lieutenant Siddoway who went up and found the vehicle that belongs to Kyle Wimpenny and realized that yeah, he is fact still up there .”
Search and Rescue dispatched resources Thursday morning. Volunteers on horseback searched on ground. They also used aircraft, including a medical helicopter.
Wright says they’re back today with even more resources.
“We’ve requested assistance of canine tracking teams, I believe the Civil Air Patrol is assisting and then all of the same resources again by ground, horseback and by aircraft.” Wright said.
According to his family, he attempted to hike the peak back in June and didn’t make it to the top so returned to try it again. His goal is to climb the highest peak in each state, Utah marks number 8.
He's experienced,” Wright said. “He apparently has a lot of resources with him as far as gear and food. Of course, with it getting so cold at night, we want to make sure that we get as many resources out as quick as possible to try to locate him.”
Snow has already fallen up high and with an impending storm coming in late tonight and Saturday, they’re hoping to find him soon.
Wimpenny is described as a Caucasian male with long brown hair and a beard. He stands 5 feet 8 inches tall, is 145 pounds and has hazel eyes - he also as a scar above his right eyebrow. Family members believe he is hiking with a blue backpack.
If anyone was in the area and believe they may have seen Wimpenny, they are asked to call the Summit County Sheriff’s Office with any information (435) 615-3601.
