A Year-Long Search Ends: Recovery of Missing Minnesota Kayaker Highlights Gaps in Public Safety Protocols

After more than a year of uncertainty, the grim discovery of a body believed to be that of Wesley Dopkins, a Minnesota kayaker missing since June 2024, forces us to confront uncomfortable questions about safety standards and rescue capabilities within our treasured national parks. Dopkins vanished while paddling alone on Jackson Lake, a vast reservoir nestled at the foot of Wyoming’s Teton Range—a location as beautiful as it is unforgiving.What Went Wrong? The Cost of Insufficient Safety MeasuresDopkins’ disappearance was marked by troubling factors: he was not wearing a life jacket, and his foldable kayak, paddle, and dry bag were...