ORSA Y MONTE PERDIDO NATIONAL PARK, SPAIN – July 17, 2025 – Spanish authorities have launched an extensive search for Cole Henderson, a 27-year-old American man who has been missing for over a week in the rugged Pyrenees mountains of Spain. Henderson was last heard from on July 9, when he texted a friend about embarking on a solo hike in Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park.
Henderson, described by loved ones as "a kind and curious soul," has strong ties to Delaware and Tennessee and previously worked as an engineer at software companies in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and San Francisco. His disappearance has prompted an outpouring of concern and ongoing social media posts from his friends and family, hoping for his safe return.
According to his friend Max Senoff, Henderson's car was found parked in Torla, a town to the west of the national park, where his phone last pinged before he reportedly turned it to airplane mode. While his exact route is unknown, Senoff believes Henderson may have been attempting to summit Monte Perdido, the third-highest peak in the Pyrenees, which is rated as "Peu Difficile" (PD), or "somewhat difficult," by the climbing community. Such routes, while often climbed without ropes, can involve crevassed glaciers and require expertise and specialized equipment like crampons.
Search and rescue teams from the Guardia Civil of Huesca are coordinating efforts with the American embassy to locate Henderson. The Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park is known for its diverse and challenging terrain, with altitudes ranging from 700 to over 3,000 meters. While July in the Pyrenees generally sees milder temperatures (average daytime highs around 18∘C to 24∘C) and more sunshine, conditions can be variable, with potential for rainfall and sudden storms, particularly in higher elevations. Hikers are always advised to be prepared for changeable weather and to inform others of their detailed plans.
The missing report for Henderson was officially filed on July 14, after he missed his scheduled flight home to the Netherlands on Saturday, July 12. As the search enters its second week, concern for the experienced hiker continues to grow.
