Bodies of Two Montana Men Found on a Mountain in Glacier Park

UPDATE: 12: 00 pm - July 27, 2022

Three elderly men have died in a matter of days while climbing in Glacier National Park. 

The two men whose bodies were recovered on a mountain earlier this week were identified on Tuesday. 

Glacier National Park spokeswoman Gina Kerzman said that Jack Beard of Kalispell and Brian Kennedy of Columbia Falls, both in their 60’s, were recovered on Monday on Dusty Star Mountain. 

Kerzman also reported that a 79-year-old man from Florida died on Monday after falling down a steep slope on Rising Wolf Mountain while recreating with friends. A rescue helicopter transported the victim to a ranger station where he was pronounced deceased. His name has not yet been released. 

(first report: 2:54 pm - July 25, 2022)

The bodies of two Montana men in their late 60’s were located on Dusty Star Mountain in Glacier National Park Monday by aircraft from Minuteman Aviation in Missoula.

KGVO News spoke to Glacier National Park Public Information Officer Gina Kerzman for details.

“A search and rescue that was underway in Glacier National Park for two local men that were reported overdue from a climb on July 24 ended tragically when the bodies of the two deceased climbers were found by Minuteman aviation,” began Kerzman. “An air search began on July 24. “The men were climbing Dusty Star Mountain and initiated the trip on July 21. They planned to hike out on July 22. They were reported missing on July 24 and their vehicle was located by Rangers at the trailhead on the same day.”

Kerzman provided more details about the search for the two missing Montanans.

“Their search began on July 24 by Two Bear Air and they flew both in the daylight and at night,” she said. “Minuteman Aviation took over this morning and located the bodies of the climbers, and a plan is underway for recovery of the bodies and the climbers’ belongings.”

Kerzman provided as much information as possible on the two men who died on Dusty Star Mountain.

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“The two climbers were a 67-year-old male from Columbia Falls, Montana, and a 67-year-old male from Kalispell, Montana,” she said. “The names of the climbers are being withheld until family members can be notified. Glacier Park staff would like to express our deepest condolences to the families and ask that the public please respect the family's privacy.”

Dusty Star Mountain lies to the south and across the Saint Mary Valley from Going-to-the-Sun Mountain.