Since the early days of the search, when people he called said he couldn't feel his fingers, I was alarmed. It sounded like he either didn't have any gloves, he didn't have warm enough gloves, or he didn't have an extra dry pair to put on. It would be incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to descend without having dexterity in his hands. Add to that difficulty that he could not see because of the brutal weather and fogged glasses. Now we know he wrote about those same problems in the summit register. Sadly, I think it's very likely he did not make it off the mountain that night.
It was dark by the time he was starting his trip down. Any route down would have been wet, slippery, probably snow covered since a storm came through. We have no idea if he had a headlamp. What was he wearing on his feet? Hiking boots, day hikers, microspikes, crampons? I also wonder if he had extra layers of clothes. Some are wondering if he had a sleeping bag with him on his climb. It's possible, but that would be unusual since he set out thinking he would return to his camp by nightfall (was his "missing" sleeping bag for summer, shoulder seasons or winter?). We don't know if he had a bivvy or even a space blanket. Unfortunately, many people don't bring emergency supplies, even though it's standard protocol.
Those of us who hike, mountain climb, and backcountry ski have a piece of wisdom we try to live by (no pun intended): When you summit, you are only half way there. You still have to make it back down the mountain. That's why you often hear/read about people turning around before they summit. Bad weather, exhaustion, feeling sick, getting too cold or hot, having problems finding your route, these are some of the reasons people decide to turn around. It's hard to turn around when you've planned for the trip (and paid for everything to make it happen). That tunnel vision usually gets you into trouble. My husband and some friends were climbing Mt. Whitney when one of them got altitude sickness. They were about 200 feet from the summit, but they all turned around to get him back down safely. They all knew they wouldn't have another chance, but they all love being in the mountains, so the summit wasn't the only goal. The biggest goal was being in the mountains and hiking/climbing in a new place. They have no regrets.
I'm posting this YNP SAR page for people who aren't sure what this hike/climb looks like. Once you reach the mountain, there are no trails, it requires route finding, although there is a standard way people take. SAR used drones, helicopters and ground teams.
YNP SAR PAGE
I hope Austin's family and friends will get answers to where Austin is before the next storm.