A hiker tragically died while attempting the challenging 3,100-mile Continental Divide Trail after sending a poignant message to his family a week before his passing. Will Standish, a 28-year-old from Melbourne, was discovered deceased in a remote area of Wyoming on July 29. Search and rescue teams located him nearly a week after his last communication.
Will kept his family updated through a Garmin satellite device, informing them of his plans on July 19. However, his family’s concern grew when he sent a check-in without coordinates or a message four days later. The last video he sent showed him in the Tetons, a mountain range near Yellowstone National Park. Sadly, this was the final message received from him.
After contacting search and rescue teams on July 27, Will’s family received the devastating news of his demise. His body was located days later, marked by his orange backpack. His family described him as a cherished individual, full of humor, wit, intelligence, and kindness.
In honor of Will, his family expressed gratitude to the search and rescue teams and bid him a loving farewell, promising to keep his memory alive. A close friend, Katie Jackson, remembered Will as a vibrant soul who brought joy to every situation, leaving behind a profound loss for his family.
A fundraiser has been initiated by Ms. Jackson to assist Will’s family in repatriating his body to Australia for a proper farewell. The Teton County search and rescue service stated that Will likely fell from a steep ridgeline, leading to his untimely passing.
This was Will’s second endeavor to complete the Continental Divide Trail, following a previous attempt halted by a foot injury in 2024. Beginning his latest journey in June from Canada, he aimed to work in South America post-completion.