Hiker's chilling final text to wife before body found near top of Cloud Peak

A man in Minnesota sent his wife what seemed like a normal text when he reached the summit of a mountain, but what they didn't know is that it would be their final conversation, as he didn't make his way back down alive.

Grant Gardner was reported missing in late July, after he embarked on a journey to hike Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains, and was found dead on August 26. His body was discovered by the top of Cloud Peak, known to be the highest summit in the mountain range.

The 38-year-old father of two had set off on what was meant to be a three-day trek as an experiencedhikerwith the intention of ending at the eye-watering 13,171-foot peak. When he reached the summit on the evening of July 29, he contacted his wife, Lauren Gardner, with a quick text, explaining that he was "more exhausted than expected".

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Although, after reaching the peak, Grant never made his way back home, and by August 1, a search operation was in full swing. His vehicle was found still parked near the West Ten Sleep trailhead, but there was no sign of the hiker himself.

A search and rescue team combed the area, with the help of both aircraft and ground personnel, but it was weeks before anyone could find Grant. Due to a lack of leads, the search was officially brought to a close on August 21, but his loved ones still held out hope.

That was until August 26, when everything changed after a team of professional climbers from North Carolina spotted something. They told the Big Horn County Sheriff'sOffice that they "noticed a slight reflection a few hundred feet above them underneath a ledge."

The hikers were also attempting to reach the Cloud Peak summit when they noticed what they were convinced was a backpack. It was getting dark when they made the discovery and so didn't approach to see exactly what it was in the distance but notified the Sheriff's office.

Authorities reached the peak via helicopter on August 27 and were able to locate Grant's remains, close by to the suspected backpack. The clothing he was found wearing was thought to match "very closely" to the terrain, which made it a difficult task to find him weeks before.

While the search was still active, Grant's wife, Lauren Gardner, told Cowboy State Daily: "It's all definitely surreal. And I'm in shock, I think, and trying to stay strong for the kids. This has never happened in all the years he's gone out. He knows what he's doing and has the skills. I'm just hoping right now."

Her husband's body was found in one of the two primary search areas that had been previously identified, according to the sheriff's office, who described the recovery as "difficult and dangerous". Meanwhile, the Big Horn County Coroner's Office is yet to determine the exact cause of death, although investigators believe he had a "tragic accident".

The climbing team that spotted the reflection and halted their own hike to assist in this discovery have been credited by the local authorities.

The sheriff's office released a statement, saying: "Special thanks to a spectacular professional group of technical climbers who were in exactly the right spot, at the right moment, with the right light. Their decision to stay put gave SAR teams the chance they needed to bring closure to Gardner's family."

Lauren Gardner also thanked the teams who "tirelessly" looked for her husband. She further said: "Our hearts are shattered. This has been the longest month on the most excruciating roller coaster."

To raise funds and support Grant's family, a GoFundMepage has been set up, with funds going directly to the family for "any needs that arise" for Lauren and her children. As of September 1, the page has raised more than $66,000 (£49,255) toward a $100,000 goal.