The family of a missing Minnesota climber has confirmed that the remains found this week in Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains are his.

Jon Francis, of Stillwater, Minnesota, disappeared a year ago while descending the Grand Mogul, a mountain in the Sawtooth range.

Earlier this week, mountain guides hired by the Francis family found human remains on the north face of Grand Mogul.

In a new release, Francis' family members say they're grateful for the support they've received from people involved in the search, and for the contributions they've received.

Francis was a counselor at a Bible camp in the area when he disappeared on July 15th, 2006.

Since his disappearance, the family created the Jon Francis Foundation -- designed to instruct hikers and climbers on basic safety and survival information.