
US hiker disappears in Spanish Pyrenees mountains sparking frantic search
Cole Henderson, 27, vanished nine days ago in the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park in northern Spain long the country's border with France.
The last time anyone heard from the Rhodes College alumni was on July 9 around 2pm, just before he embarked on his precipitous solo hike.
He texted his friend that he parked his car in Torla, the town near the entrance of the national park.
Henderson noted he was going to put his phone on airplane mode to save its battery before starting his mountainous trek, according to a statement from his friend, Max Senoff.
Henderson was believed to have been wearing a bright orange backpack when he went missing.
His phone's last ping was in Torla, likely because this is where he turned on airplane mode.
His loved ones realized something was wrong when he never boarded his return flight to the Netherlands, where he had been living and working, on July 12.
Henderson was officially reported missing on July 14, sparking a rampant search for the lone traveler the same day.
Rescue teams and Air Service helicopters have been scouring the area, looking for signs of the man, who is believed to have been hiking up Mount Perdido, according to The New York Times.
His car was also found in Torla, as he told his friend.
Mount Perdido is the third highest peak in the Pyrenees. The hike up the mountain is known to be a strenuous one, but is typically able to be completed in a day.
Senoff told the New York Times at the time Henderson disappeared, he was approaching the end of his Spain vacation and was previously visiting Pamplona for the Running of the Bulls Festival.
He described Henderson as an avid traveler and a meticulous planner, having shared his Spain trip itinerary with his friends before he left.
'He is great at bringing people together and very social guy,' Senoff told the outlet.
A website has been established, detailing the latest updates in the search for Henderson.
On social media, his friends and family members have been sharing photos of the frequent tourist.
'My nephew, Cole Henderson, a 27-year-old American, has gone missing while hiking in the Pyrenees,' his aunt, Lisa Henderson, shared on Facebook.
'Search efforts are underway, but we're desperate to spread the word. If you or someone you know is in the area—or recently hiked near Ordesa—please share this or reach out with any info. Even the smallest detail could help.'
It is unclear when Henderson moved to the Netherlands, but based on his social media pages, he went to high school in Delaware and studied computer science at Rhodes College, which is in Tennessee.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Marcus Rashford, 27, 'is BACK with ex-fiancee' Lucia, 26, two years after split - as she 'joins him in Barcelona to help him settle' after Man United exit
Marcus Rashford's summer continues to go from strength to strength after his reported reunion with his former fiancee two years after their split. The former Manchester United forward completed a season-long loan move to Barcelona this week, joining the Catalan club after breathing new life into his career on loan at Aston Villa last season. There had been doubt over his on-field future after Villa opted against signing him permanently and he was made part of Manchester United's 'Bomb Squad', but Barcelona swooped and Rashford didn't look back. Now, his a boost in his personal life is said to have followed his positive career change, with The Sun reporting that he is back with childhood sweetheart Lucia, 26. The outlet reports that Rashford, 27, asked Lucia to help him settle in Spain, providing a calming influence he felt he needed. The duo are said to have been together during a photoshoot before his unveiling at Barca. It comes two years after the couple split, having got engaged a year prior. The England footballer got engaged in May 2022 but the two went their separate ways a matter of months later It is reported that Lucia joined Rashford in Barcelona, taking the forward's photo and then checking his outfit before he posed beside a traditional red phone box for his announcement video. In the video, Rashford could be seen emerging, saying: 'Hello? Barca? For sure, I'm coming.' In June 2023, a source said that Rashford and Lucia felt 'the relationship ran its course', with the pair remaining 'very close friends'. It came as the then-Manchester United player, then 25, was since been spotted partying with a number of girls on a night out in Miami, Florida, and was seen returning with one of the group to his hotel at 5am in pictures obtained by The Sun. The sportsman jetted out to the Sunshine State this week and is said to have enjoyed the company of a number of bikini-clad women by the pool. A source told MailOnline of the split: 'Marcus and Lucia haven't been together for a number of months. It's nothing complicated; the relationship ran its course and they remain very close friends, and have a lot of mutual respect for one another.' 'Marcus is laser-focused on the next phase of his football career and is putting all of his focus in to that. He is about to come back to the UK after a successful trip coaching kids in Miami, and heads to England's training camp this week.' Rashford proposed on a postseason getaway in California after had been dating since the age of 15 when they were pupils at Ashton on Mersey school in Greater Manchester. Marcus had been planning the proposal for weeks and popped the question to Lucia at a lavish villa after they shared a romantic meal at celebrity seafood restaurant Catch LA, a source told The Sun. 'They went out in LA for a romantic night together on Tuesday and he proposed. It was extremely romantic. 'They celebrated afterwards with a group of close friends — including his United teammate Jesse Lingard,' the source said. Marcus shared news of the engagement on Instagram, posting an image of the pair embracing as they stood atop a bed of white roses in front of a heart-shaped archway. Another source said: 'All involved are thrilled at the recent news of the engagement,' and spoke of Lucia's influence on the Premier League star, who has received plaudits for his charitable work off the field but has struggled to perform on it since having shoulder surgery. 'Lucia has been a big part of Marcus' life... offering stability, a sense of belonging and assurance that can be rare to find,' the source told The Sun. The high school sweethearts had been together for eight years when difficulties associated with the Covid pandemic triggered a split. But the pair confirmed they had reunited in January 2022, just months before they got engaged, and their relationship is now reportedly back on track. Rashford fell out of favour at United after being criticised by current manager Ruben Amorim On the field, Rashford was banished from United by manager Ruben Amorim after the England star's work rate was called into question. He did not play for United again and joined Villa on loan, who opted to not make his move permanent and send him back to Manchester. Barcelona have the option to make his move permanent next summer for a fee in the region of £26millon.


The Sun
8 hours ago
- The Sun
Lionesses' fans flock to Basel to cheer on team in Euros final – as pubs prepare for bumper day
ENGLAND fans have flocked to Basel to roar on the Lionesses against Spain tomorrow — while millions at home will also be willing our girls to lift the Euro trophy for the second time in a row. Sarina Wiegman 's warriors have the perfect opportunity to avenge their crushing World Cup final defeat by Spain two years ago, and the nation is gearing up for the big match — guaranteeing a bumper day for pubs and supermarkets across the country. 3 Asda expects to sell at least six million pints of beer, 1.3 million bags of crisps and 300,000 pizzas, while a million extra pints will be sold in pubs, giving a huge boost to the economy. The bookies are in for a bonanza too, as in betting terms the match is set to be the biggest in the history of the women's game. England are the underdogs, with their odds currently at 2/1, but 80 per cent of punters are betting on them winning. Coral's John Hill said: 'We are seeing one-way traffic for the Lionesses in our betting, despite them being underdogs. "They have overcome the odds a few times in Switzerland, so the bookmakers are staring down the barrel at a bumper payout should they win.' England fans arriving at Basel Airport yesterday were convinced their heroines can triumph. Women's football consultant Andrea Ekblad, from St Albans, Herts, said: 'I was at the final at Wembley when they won the Euros in 2022. 'I'm superstitious, so I'm wearing the shirt I wore in 2022 — hopefully that helps them win.' Ava Lambert, 16, of Chelmsford, Essex, said: 'I've been watching all the games at home so I'm really pleased to be here for the final. 'Good luck England, you can do it.' England Lionesses press conference ahead of Euro 2025 final vs Spain 3


Times
10 hours ago
- Times
I loathe skiing and the cold — but Switzerland in the summer? Heaven
It's the height of summer and I'm normally embracing my inner lizard beside a pool in the 30C-plus heat of a Mediterranean island. Instead I find myself in hiking gear beneath the shadow of a glacial Swiss mountain, having gone into full Heidi mode. Shy chamois graze on the hillside, rare wildflowers burst out and the silence is broken only by the clanging bells of a cow herd. I'm out of my holiday comfort zone, but this year — like many other Brits — I wanted something more chilled than the soaring temperatures of the southern Med hotspots. Switzerland has never appeared on my bucket list. I've been once and that was by mistake, after driving back through the Alps from Rome in April while caught in the Icelandic ash cloud of 2010. We let the kids out of the car for five minutes to make snow angels before motoring on. I loathe cold weather, can't ski and am indifferent to fondue. But Switzerland in summer is an altogether different creature. After two trains from Zurich to Chur, I board a pristine red double-decker Rhaetian train, on time to the second, for the start of a very different sunshine adventure. The route takes me on one of the world's most scenic journeys, nearly four hours of jaw-dropping drama through Unesco world heritage protected areas to my minibreak destination, the mountain village of Pontresina in the southern Upper Engadin region. A carousel of turquoise lakes, snow-capped mountains, storybook cabins in wildflower meadows and the spectacular Landwasser viaduct play out like CGI (one-way ticket from about £70; It's the first time in my life I haven't been desperate to reach my hotel, and I hope it won't be a letdown after the dazzling entree. One glance at the five-star neo-baroque structure of the Grand Hotel Kronenhof, in all its Wes Anderson-style glory, stop those thoughts in their tracks. The handsome building, which opened its doors in 1848, has 112 elegant rooms. • 10 of the most beautiful places in Switzerland Like many Swiss grandes dames, the hotel originally made its name by attracting upper-class English gentleman types who journeyed for days to take in the local spa waters and pure air. Now visitors are mostly Germans and Italians, us lot having long since discovered the allure of the package deal. But the Kronenhof is on a mission to get the Brits back by promoting the appeal of spending summer and autumn in the region, and staying at the hotel (which is a third less full than in the peak ski season). The panoramic view and intense colours continue from the hotel windows and balcony in my airy, modern room. To the left is the Roseg glacier, straight ahead there are green pines and larch forests which become a symphony of reds and yellows in the autumn and, beneath me, a rushing blue river. It's priceless, which is just as well because this place doesn't come cheap, reflected in everything from the impeccable service to the tasteful furnishings. Some rooms, including the Kronenhof cocktail bar, have been transformed by Pierre-Yves Rochon (the designer behind the Four Seasons George V in Paris and Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills) with teal sofas and dark cherry walls. • Discover our full guide to Switzerland In the reading room I count 11 original black Eames lounge chairs, and the rather magnificent Grand Restaurant (jacket required for men) has ceiling frescoes by Otto Haberer, chandeliers and a minstrels' gallery for the occasional string quartet, while offering a formal yet family-friendly breakfast and dinner. Standout dishes include the poached rock lobster and cheesecake with chocolate almond crumble and cherry foam. I try the other two restaurants, each with its own distinct flavour and character. There is a weekly Swiss fondue or raclette served up in the hotel's basement bowling alley. The gourmet restaurant Kronenstübli is a slice of old Switzerland with pine-panelled walls and original Engadin furniture. But a simple salmon salad lunch at the old wooden Le Pavilion in the garden is just as satisfying, a bowl of sunshine topped with homegrown herbs and flowers. The Swiss cheese platter is presented so prettily that I have to photograph it. Then there's the spa. If Daniel Craig had helicoptered on to the lawn in his James Bond Speedos and breaststroked across the infinity pool, I would have been stirred but not greatly shaken, such is the lavish scale of this 2,000 sq m glass structure. The saunas alone are dizzying. There's a Finnish one; a nude, women-only one with coloured lights and essential oils; a stone steam bath; a flotation room with underwater music; a saltwater grotto; as well as whirlpool, jets and waterfall. There are 13 therapy and treatment rooms, a state-of-the-art gym, and experiences from guided mountain treks to biking tours. I make my own bath salts in the lupin-filled gardens, grinding together freshly picked herbs, then sunbathe on the day beds, breathing in pure mountain air and admiring the bluest of pollution-free skies. • My hack for a family hiking holiday? Take the ski lifts in the Swiss Alps The hotel is in the heart of Pontresina, a charming and characterful spa village 1,800m above sea level, with its own microclimate and more than 300 sunny days a year. Those interested to learn more about the area may enjoy the Museum Alpin, about flora, fauna and geology, and the traditional houses, renowned for their signature sgraffito wall etchings. In the summer months temperatures are hot but not blistering, making it a paradise for hikers and bikers. There are also plenty of cafés, gift shops and outdoor adventure stores with names like Go Vertical. Tourists and locals look like they eat a lot of muesli and many are carrying backpacks bigger than themselves. If you are even mildly adventurous, you will embrace this place. There's wind and kitesurfing, paddleboarding and canoeing for the water-lovers, and endless trails for hikers and runners. In the summer months, bird watching, forest bathing among the Swiss pines and goat trekking are popular. The hotel offers ebikes and a 20-minute ride will reward you with Lej da Staz, a beautiful lake in the middle of a pine forest, popular with wild swimmers and picnickers. Bling-lovers, bear with me. Just a ten-minute cab ride away to the west is the glitz and glamour of St Moritz, beloved by Hepburn, Hitchcock and Chanel and now home to every designer label under the sun, like a small and more perfectly formed Bond Street. The Kronenhof's sister hotel, the Kulm Country Club, claims the best views over Lake San Moritz — do stop by for a drink. Will a few days in the Upper Engadin financially set you back more than a week at your usual European summer destination would? In all honesty, probably. But is it worth it? Höll yes. I can't think of anywhere lovelier for a cheeky minibreak. You can keep your snow, your skis and your puffer jackets. But a Swiss summer? It's the future … This article contains affiliate links that will earn us revenue Marianne Jones was a guest of Grand Hotel Kronenhof, which has B&B doubles from £320 ( Fly to Zurich By Siobhan Grogan The Scuol cable car lifts stay open throughout summer. Have lunch at a mountaintop restaurant, then hire a scooter to speed downhill on the dedicated 10km track (£28 rental including lift ticket; If the weather's good, ditch the hotel pool for a plunge in Lake Staz, where the water flows from the glaciers of the Bernina Alps, or Lake Marsch near St Moritz-Bad, which has a small beach for drying off afterwards. Kite-surfing lessons are available at Lake Silvaplana — some claim the sport was invented here (three-hour lesson from £167; You can also try your hand at an archery course, shooting at 28 targets spread through a forest (£14; Watch traditional cheese making over an open fire at the Morteratsch Alpine cheese dairy, then stick around for a bath in a barrel of the resulting warm, fresh whey, said to nourish the skin (£56 including drink, cheese-making free to watch; Hop on an ebike to explore the region's beauty spots without having to struggle up the steep sections. There are more than 400km of well-signed trails that pass through forests and run beside lakes, or you can brave the flow trails on the Corviglia mountain. These smooth biking paths have curves and hollows for riding over bumps for a rollercoaster-like experience — the 2km Marmotta trail is best for families and beginners (half-day ebike rental from £78; Family-friendly hiking trails in the region are often themed, with some focusing on lakes, flowers, smugglers or animals to keep kids engaged (free; It's also possible to arrange a walk alongside some specially trained, trekking-ready billy goats, with a scenic stop for a cheese fondue or picnic en route (£88; Share your memories of Swiss summer holidays in the comments