Climbing
A 27-year-old New Jersey man, Burak Akil, was found dead in Grand Teton National Park’s 12,330′ Teewinot Mountain on Sunday, June 24th 2018, according to park officials.
“Akil was climbing solo, wearing a helmet and had appropriate climbing gear, including an ice axe and crampons.” – GTNP
Park officials suspect that he fell during his descent.
It wasn’t discovered that Burak was missing until he didn’t show up for work on Monday morning. Burak’s co-workers knew of his plans to climb in the Grand Teton National Park and alerted park rangers.
Burak was a traveling nurse who was currently working at St. John’s Medical Center in Jackson, WY.
A search was started at 8:45am on Monday.
Rangers located Burak’s body at 11:15am on Monday.
The body was recovered via a long-line helicopter operation.
In 2015, 2 women fell and died climbing this same mountain – Teewinot Mountain.
Grand Targhee National Park Press Release:
MOOSE, WY—Grand Teton National Park rangers have recovered the body of a climber on the east face of Teewinot Mountain today.
The deceased climber is identified as 27-year old Burak Akil of Wayne, New Jersey. It is believed Akil was solo climbing Teewinot Mountain on Sunday, and fell on the descent.
After Akil did not report to work Monday morning, a coworker who knew Akil had been climbing in the park called Teton Interagency Dispatch Center and went to the Lupine Meadows Trailhead to search for Akil’s vehicle. The vehicle was located at the trailhead parking area.
A search was initiated with two park rangers hiking to the area at approximately 8:45 a.m. Rangers also began to scan the peaks with spotting scopes and identified an area of interest on the east face of Teewinot Mountain. Rangers hiked to the location and confirmed the fatality at approximately 11:15 a.m.
Park rangers recovered the body via a long-line aerial operation.
Akil was climbing solo, wearing a helmet and had appropriate climbing gear, including an ice axe and crampons.
Park rangers encourage backcountry climbers and hikers to “Know Before You Go” and be well prepared for any backcountry adventure. Please be prepared with appropriate equipment and skills, and always let someone know your planned route and estimated return time.
