Dad and Daughter Vanished Climbing Mt. Hooker, 11 Years Later Their Cliff Camp Is Found… Garrett and Della Beckwith left for their Mount Hooker climbing expedition with enough gear to handle any emergency—except they left their satellite… See More

In the summer of 2012, Garrett Beckwith and his 19-year-old daughter, Della, embarked on what was meant to be another defining adventure in a lifetime of shared exploration. United by a deep love for climbing and the wilderness, the father and daughter set their sights on Mount Hooker, a remote and imposing peak hidden within Wyoming’s Wind River Range. It was a journey rooted in trust, experience, and the bond forged through years spent scaling cliffs and navigating rugged landscapes together.

For Garrett, the expedition was an opportunity to further strengthen that bond—one built on teaching, perseverance, and mutual respect. For Della, it was a chance to push her limits beside the man who had introduced her to the mountains and shaped her confidence within them. Neither could have imagined that this ascent would be their last.

Mount Hooker is widely regarded as one of the most challenging climbs in the continental United States. Rising nearly 12,500 feet, its sheer granite north face is accessible only after days of grueling travel through isolated terrain. The mountain’s remoteness, volatile weather, and technical difficulty offer little forgiveness, even to skilled climbers.

Garrett and Della were last seen as they began their ascent. When they failed to return as planned, concern quickly turned to alarm. Search-and-rescue teams mounted an extensive effort, deploying helicopters, canine units, and experienced ground crews. Weeks passed as the search combed cliffs, basins, and snowfields—but no equipment, no tracks, and no sign of the pair was ever discovered.

The complete absence of evidence has left their fate shrouded in mystery. Some believe a fall during the climb may have concealed them within crevasses or beneath rockfall. Others suspect sudden, severe weather may have forced them off route. In a place as vast and unforgiving as Mount Hooker, such theories remain tragically plausible.

For their family, the lack of answers has been a lasting source of grief. Yet Garrett and Della are remembered not for how they vanished, but for how they lived—drawn together by love, courage, and the wild places they cherished.

More than a decade later, Mount Hooker still stands silent, its granite face guarding the mystery of two climbers who never returned.