I can't believe Stumpknockers find of abandoned gear on 1/15/08 has gone uninvestigated ....... I have searched the internet and found that at least one person is missing in this area. They have just reopened the search for John Bryant who went missing in NC, but have moved it south because of Merrideth. Who is to say that Hilton did not abduct a young person at Locust Cove Gap before heading south (or after) and the camp Stumpknocker found is the result. Stumpknocker should have contacted the authorities immediately. The site did not look that old to me though. Notice how the leaves had been removed from in front the tent in a "perfect line" so as to not track them inside and the water in the bladder is not frozen at the tube end. The leaves covering the cooking gear could have been kicked there by other hikers "checking out" the site or as the result of a scuffle during an abduction, it had to be resent(at that time) considering no new leaves had dropped in front of the tent. Don't you think that even a young inexperienced person would take the hand warmers with him/her even if he/she was leaving the woods. The camp site is very suspicious and should be investigated. I am guessing no one has reported it because they do not want to be investigated themselves or don't have TIME to answers questions. Is THE HIKE more important than helping a fellow hiker. I thought thru hikers look out for each other ... it makes me think twice about doing my planned hike. I would hate to be out there injured or worse and know that other hiker pass by and just shrug their shoulders. I guess I am making enimies here. It's been 11 days since his find yet no one has reported it. I don't know who to contact to report it. Can't someone near there report this. Or give me a number to call and I will report it! Does anyone besides me even CARE!