In the summer of 2012, Garrett Beckwith and his 19-year-old daughter, Della, set their sights on Wyoming’s Mount Hooker, a remote and formidable peak known to challenge even seasoned climbers. For the Beckwiths, it wasn’t just about conquering a mountain; it was about another chapter in a long-running story of shared adventures. Father and daughter had spent years exploring the outdoors together, finding joy, challenge, and connection in the wilderness. This climb was meant to be another bonding experience, the kind that forges lifelong memories.
Mount Hooker, rising nearly 12,500 feet, is not an easy summit. Located in the Wind River Range, it has a reputation for sheer granite walls and unpredictable weather. For many climbers, reaching its heights is as much about grit and determination as it is about skill. Garrett and Della carried with them a sense of excitement and anticipation, eager to push themselves against one of the state’s toughest ascents. Friends and family knew their passion for the outdoors and fully expected to welcome them back with stories of triumph, photos of sweeping views, and laughter about the inevitable missteps along the way.
But that joyful return never happened. Days passed with no word from the father and daughter. Concern quickly grew as scheduled check-ins went unanswered. What started as the normal wait for news after a demanding climb turned into a gnawing fear that something had gone terribly wrong. When weeks went by without a trace, the region found itself caught up in one of Wyoming’s most haunting mysteries.
Search teams were dispatched, combing through rugged terrain and treacherous conditions. Helicopters scanned the peaks and valleys, while ground crews retraced potential routes the pair might have taken. Fellow climbers volunteered to aid in the search, understanding the dangers of the mountain firsthand. Yet despite exhaustive efforts, no clear evidence emerged. The Beckwiths seemed to have vanished into the very wilderness they loved.
For the families left behind, the pain was immeasurable. What was supposed to be an inspiring father-daughter journey turned into a prolonged nightmare of unanswered questions. How could two skilled outdoor enthusiasts disappear without leaving a single sign? Were they lost in a hidden crevice, swept away by rockfall, or caught in an unexpected storm? Speculation ran wild, but solid answers never came. The silence of Mount Hooker offered no clues, only deepened the sense of loss.
Over time, the story of Garrett and Della’s disappearance took root in the collective memory of Wyoming’s climbing community. Their names became part of cautionary tales told to new adventurers heading into the backcountry. The tragedy underscored the unforgiving nature of the wilderness, where beauty and danger coexist in equal measure. It reminded everyone that even experience and preparation sometimes aren’t enough to overcome the unpredictability of the mountains.
Yet, amid the sadness, their journey has also been remembered for what it represented: the profound bond between a father and his daughter, strengthened through a shared love of adventure. Friends speak of Garrett’s calm determination and Della’s fearless spirit, qualities that drew them together on trails and summits across the years. Their final expedition, though shrouded in mystery, remains a testament to that connection.
Today, more than a decade later, the disappearance of Garrett and Della Beckwith still lingers as one of Wyoming’s most enduring unsolved stories. For some, the mountain is a place of wonder, but for others, it is also a reminder of how quickly nature can turn from companion to adversary. Their absence has left a void, but their story continues to echo in the climbing world—an eternal reminder of both the risks and the rewards of chasing adventure in the wild.
