Dad and Daughter Vanished Climbing Mt. Hooker, 11 Years Later Their Cliff Camp Is Found…

Into the Silence: The Disappearance of Garrett and Della Beckwith

In the summer of 2012, Garrett Beckwith and his 19-year-old daughter, Della, set out for what should have been another unforgettable adventure. The pair shared a passion for climbing and hiking, and this time their destination was Mount Hooker, deep in Wyoming’s Wind River Range.

For Garrett, the trip promised another chance to strengthen the father–daughter bond forged in the outdoors. For Della, it was the thrill of testing her limits alongside the man who had taught her to climb. But their journey into the wilderness would never find its return.

Mount Hooker is among the most formidable climbs in the continental United States. Rising nearly 12,500 feet, its sheer north face demands days of trekking just to reach the base. The mountain’s isolation, unpredictable weather, and unforgiving terrain leave little margin for error.

Garrett and Della were last seen beginning their ascent. When they failed to return on schedule, family and friends raised the alarm. Search-and-rescue teams launched an intensive operation with helicopters, dogs, and ground crews. Despite weeks of effort, not a trace of them was ever found.