In 2012, Garrett Beckwith and his 19-year-old daughter, Della, set out to climb Mount Hooker in Wyoming’s Wind River Range. For Garrett, it was another chance to “strengthen the father–daughter bond,” while for Della it was the thrill of testing her limits. But they never returned.

Mount Hooker, rising nearly 12,500 feet, is one of the most challenging climbs in the U.S. Its remote location, severe weather, and dangerous terrain leave “little margin for error.” Garrett and Della were last seen beginning their ascent.

When they failed to come back, a massive search was launched with helicopters, dogs, and ground crews. Despite weeks of effort, “not a trace of them was ever found.”

The mystery has fueled speculation for years. Some think they may have fallen and were hidden by crevasses or rockfall. Others believe a sudden storm forced them off course. The isolation of Mount Hooker makes both possibilities plausible.

For their family, the lack of closure is devastating. Yet Garrett and Della are remembered not only for their disappearance, but for the love of adventure and the wilderness that defined their lives. Mount Hooker still stands, “holding fast to the silence of two climbers who never returned.”