Cole Henderson’s Facebook profile picture. | Image: Cole Henderson Facebook
The search for a missing American hiker in Spain’s Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park has ended in tragedy after 25 days, with the discovery of his body in the Pyrenees.
Cole Henderson, 27, set out on a hike on July 9 and was last heard from around 2 p.m. that day, when he texted a friend to say he had just parked his car in Torla and was beginning his trek. Authorities were alerted on July 14, after Henderson failed to board his return flight to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, the previous day and did not show up for work on Monday. The Boston native had been living in the Netherlands since early 2024.
Search and rescue teams from the Guardia Civil combed the park for weeks, with Henderson’s parents traveling from Boston, Massachusetts, to Torla to follow the search closely. His car was found in the Pradera de Ordesa car park, which became the base for the operation. Reinforcements from Navarre and Catalonia joined after initial efforts proved unsuccessful, deploying drones, helicopters, sniffer dogs, and specialised mountain units to scour the inhospitable terrain. On August 2, UME military personnel were brought in with additional rescue specialists, dogs, and air support.
Cole Henderson and his friend from Rhodes College, Eric Simon, who was desperately trying to locate his best friend. | Image: Eric Simon Facebook
On Friday, August 8, Henderson’s body was located on the north flank of Monte Perdido, in an area of steep rock walls and treacherous ground. Investigators believe he fell approximately 200 meters (650 feet). His remains were airlifted to Boltaña and transferred to the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Zaragoza for identification.
Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Spain’s most spectacular mountain landscapes. Nestled in the Huesca province of Aragon, the park is famed for its deep valleys, towering cliffs, and high peaks, including Monte Perdido (“Lost Mountain”), the third-highest summit in the Pyrenees at 3,355 meters (11,007 feet). The Pyrenees are a famous mountain range straddling the border of France and Spain and extend for almost 500 kilometers (310 miles) along the border. In winter, the Pyrenees feature more than 50 ski resorts in Spain, France, and Andorra. During summer, the area attracts hikers and climbers from around the world.
The discovery marks the heartbreaking end to an intense and determined search for the young mountaineer.
Cole Henderson’s family and friends used this image for the search, sharing it widely on social media. | Image: Cole Henderson Facebook