Man Disappears into Grand Teton National Park. One month later, no trace.

This story starts with a 43-year-old man, one could call him an experienced Adventurer and someone who was well-traveled and used to remote wild places. He was on an epic travel adventure by all accounts, had just visited the Boundary Waters of Northern Minnesota, hit the Badlands, and was in the process of exploring the Grand Teton National Park … nothing too crazy for this adventurer who had spent time in Russia and even attended school in Germany.

He was a life long world traveler and was no arm-chair adventurer, he had experience and skills, even purportedly biking 26 miles a day, he was in shape for the wild places he explored.

While exploring the Grand Teton National Park, Wes Dopkins was kayaking with a friend on June 15th near Colter Bay with an intended destination of Waterfalls Canyon on the west side of Jackson Lake. Then, he disappeared into thin air and one month later has not been found.

“Located in the northern part of Grand Teton National Park, Colter Bay sits on the shore of Jackson Lake and offers recreation opportunities on or near the water. From the lakeshore, visitors will have views across Jackson Lake to Mount Moran and the northern end of the Teton Range.” – NPS

The fellow adventurer traveling with Dopkins ended up becoming separated from his friend due to some high winds, this was the last time Dopkins was seen.

According to NPS officials, park rangers have recovered Dopkins’s kayak, paddle, and dry bag floating off of Moose Island. It’s also been reported he was not wearing a flotation device.

This is not the first case we’ve seen this year of people going missing in the wilderness, especially with those in and around the water. It’s a stark reminder that anything can happen when in the backcountry with very few people around to help when trouble comes. This is especially true when doing water adventures, which seem to heighten the risks of tragedy greatly.

It’s absolutely essential when heading out into the unknown, especially on wilderness water travels that everyone is prepared for the worst, lifevests are a non-starter, a must, never enter the water without one. Also, having a beacon, say an InReach or something similar should now be standard practice.

Our prayers are with the missing man and his family, hopefully, everyone gets closure. Park Rangers continue the search for Dopkins, who is now presumed dead be officials.