C-Falls skier missing in Wyoming park

A massive search is underway for a Columbia Falls skier missing in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.

Teton officials said Gregory Seftick, 31, and friend Walker Kuhl, 27, of Salt Lake City, set out to camp overnight in the Teton Range on Saturday, April 16. According to their backcountry permit, they intended to explore Tepee Pillar and Tepee Glacier — features near the Grand Teton.

When Kuhl failed to report to work in Salt Lake City on Monday morning, park rangers were notified and the initial search began. The search was unsuccessful on Monday, and a full-scale search was begun Tuesday and Wednesday.

The initial call that the men were missing came into Teton County Sheriff’s Office at 11:15 a.m. on Monday, when Kuhl’s girlfriend notified authorities.

Because of the avalanche danger, rangers first searched from the air on Monday. The avalanche danger  was rated “considerable” in higher elevations but “low” for elevations from 6,000 to 9,000 feet.

The Tetons this winter have had more than 500 inches of snow, Park officials reported.

Rescuers were looking in the Garnet Canyon area for signs of the men and have narrowed the search to an area where an avalanche occurred. Both men had avalanche beacons and had experience climbing and skiing in the Teton Range.