Just in from the Great Smokey Mountain Association..

[HikerMom58]

Rescue Operations Underway for Distressed AT Hiker - At 3:37 pm on Thursday, November 1, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Dispatch received a 911 call through the Cherokee PD of a single male hiker in distress in a remote section of the Appalachian Trail somewhere between the Pecks Corner and Tricorner Knob Shelters. The call came directly from the hiker via cell phone.

Late Thursday the park ...dispatched two rangers by foot to the approximate location of the hiker to determine his exact location, assess his condition, and stabilize as needed. After a nine hour hike in steep terrain, high winds, and four to five foot snow drifts, the rangers have temporarily taken shelter in a cabin on the Appalachian Trail for a rest period. The rangers are an estimated four miles from the individual. The park is currently evaluating the possibilities of an air operation with the Tennessee Highway Patrol sometime today.

Early Friday morning Cherokee PD received another short telephone call from the hiker. He has reported that he has made it through the night by hunkering down at his location. The park is unaware of what type of shelter he has been using. He is also reporting he may not be able to walk out, but the park is unable to access his full condition based on the broken phone calls.

[RED-DOG]

Any time a person attempts a hike on the AT or any other trail that person is going out there at their own risk, and they need to be prepared for all the wheather conditions and changes and they shouln't expect the rangers or Search and rescue to pull them out when things turn ugly. RED-DOG

[HikerMom58]

I know... right? I'm surprised he didn't hear about the storm coming. It happens.

[The Cleaner]

If more hikers would carry a small radio w/NOAA weather bands, they would be able to keep aware of changing weather conditions.Many times I've met hikers who knew nothing about bad weather heading their way....

[Feral Bill]

We have no idea what this persons problem is, or when they set out. Lets judge after we have the facts

[HikerMom58]

An air operation just launched at 2:00 pm in an attempt to locate, and, if safe, to extract a distressed hiker with a hoist. The hiker has been identified as Steven Ainsworth, 56, from Washington North Carolina.

If winds are too high for a hoist operation an attempt will instead be made to drop supplies to the site if conditions allow.

Air operations are based out of Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport


UPDATE ON HIKER ..............

[Llama Legs]

this guy?

http://www.wdnweb.com/2012/06/23/was...-epic-journey/

[The Solemates]

this guy?

http://www.wdnweb.com/2012/06/23/was...-epic-journey/

appears to be the one

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=395311

[Studlintsean]

Looks like it might be him. Hope everything turns out alright.

[HikerMom58]

Stranded Hiker Rescued from Backcountry

Steven Ainsworth, 56, of Washington, NorthCarolina was successfully airlifted from the Appalachian Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park this afternoon. Ainsworth had become stranded on a remote section of the trail as a result of the snow storm that blanketed higher elevations of the park earlier this week.

At 2:54 pm, a Tennessee Highway Patrol helicopter that had been called in to assist rangers with search and rescue efforts was able to retrieve Ainsworth from the Park’s backcountry and transport him to the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport in Sevierville, Tennessee. From there, he was taken by ambulance to LeConte Medical Center in Sevierville for medical evaluation.

GREAT NEWS!!!

[Pedaling Fool]

Rescue Operations Underway for Distressed AT Hiker - At 3:37 pm on Thursday, November 1, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Dispatch received a 911 call through the Cherokee PD of a single male hiker in distress in a remote section of the Appalachian Trail somewhere between the Pecks Corner and Tricorner Knob Shelters. The call came directly from the hiker via cell phone.

Late Thursday the park ...dispatched two rangers by foot to the approximate location of the hiker to determine his exact location, assess his condition, and stabilize as needed. After a nine hour hike in steep terrain, high winds, and four to five foot snow drifts, the rangers have temporarily taken shelter in a cabin on the Appalachian Trail for a rest period. The rangers are an estimated four miles from the individual. The park is currently evaluating the possibilities of an air operation with the Tennessee Highway Patrol sometime today.

Early Friday morning Cherokee PD received another short telephone call from the hiker. He has reported that he has made it through the night by hunkering down at his location. The park is unaware of what type of shelter he has been using. He is also reporting he may not be able to walk out, but the park is unable to access his full condition based on the broken phone calls.

Stranded Hiker Rescued from Backcountry

Steven Ainsworth, 56, of Washington, NorthCarolina was successfully airlifted from the Appalachian Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park this afternoon. Ainsworth had become stranded on a remote section of the trail as a result of the snow storm that blanketed higher elevations of the park earlier this week.

At 2:54 pm, a Tennessee Highway Patrol helicopter that had been called in to assist rangers with search and rescue efforts was able to retrieve Ainsworth from the Park’s backcountry and transport him to the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport in Sevierville, Tennessee. From there, he was taken by ambulance to LeConte Medical Center in Sevierville for medical evaluation.

GREAT NEWS!!!

So in the OP it somewhat makes it soud like he was in distress, such as an injury or something, then in the 10th post of his rescue it sounds like he just got snowed in; I wouldn't exactly call that "in distress".

I know, still lacking details, but really curious now of them details.

[HikerMom58]

^ I know what you are saying^... I'm curious about the details 2. I'm glad he's safe now!

[joshuasdad]

From the journal, he was a very fit hiker that was planning on slackpacking the whole 31 miles on Sunday from Davenport Gap to Newfound Gap, but called it off due to Sandy. Presumably, he went up there later fully geared instead. I'm betting on an injury of some type, combined with exhaustion from the longest sustained uphill section on the entire AT. He had probably done 6000+ of vertical up prior to the location of the injury.

[Snowleopard]

From his trailjournal, he's a SOBO who started June 19. It looks like he had been slackpacking for a while.

Hiking through 5' drifts is exhausting in the extreme. It's ok if it's just a short drift, but if you have to go through 4' or 5' of fresh snow for any distance without snowshoes you won't get far before exhaustion. Even with snowshoes, you'd want a strong group to help you break trail.

On Mt. Leconte yesterday the high was 25F and the low was 15F. Some of the trails on Leconte were impassable because of rhododendrons. It sounds like he's very lucky to survive. The rangers who were hiking in to him deserve a lot of praise and gratitude.

[shelb]

If more hikers would carry a small radio w/NOAA weather bands, ....

What would you suggest?

[joshuasdad]

More information here: http://www.wbir.com/news/article/240...s-been-rescued

It turns out that he likely left on Monday, then was trapped by additional snow that fell:

He said when he set out, he was expecting about six inches of snow. Instead, he faced snow depths of 4 to 5 feet in places. He was actually stuck for several days before being able to call for help.

I have this section scheduled for Thanksgiving week. My wife is pretty close to deciding otherwise...

[ellisend]

Seeking advice for southbound thru-hikers currently near Hot Springs stuck in snow and cold. What is the general opinion of waiting a week or two and trying to finish? Is this big snow likely to melt and the trail become hike-able, or is winter socked in for good?

[Slo-go'en]

Seeking advice for southbound thru-hikers currently near Hot Springs stuck in snow and cold. What is the general opinion of waiting a week or two and trying to finish? Is this big snow likely to melt and the trail become hike-able, or is winter socked in for good?

Hard tell'en, Not know'en.

I did hear on the news tonight that there could be another Nor'easter on it's way which might hit the mid-alantic states come Wensday. I'd guess winter is coming on quick and in a big way. The party may well be over.

As for the unfortunate distressed hiker - he should have turned back well before getting stuck out on that ridge. The going must have been brutal well before that point. Will have to wait and see what he has to say about it when and if he gets the chance.

[HikerMom58]

Seeking advice for southbound thru-hikers currently near Hot Springs stuck in snow and cold. What is the general opinion of waiting a week or two and trying to finish? Is this big snow likely to melt and the trail become hike-able, or is winter socked in for good?

After watching the video just posted about the rescued hiker spending the night in chest deep snow, I'd say it's winter is here to stay in the Smokies. And like Slo-go'en said, there might be more on the way.

[joshuasdad]

Seeking advice for southbound thru-hikers currently near Hot Springs stuck in snow and cold. What is the general opinion of waiting a week or two and trying to finish? Is this big snow likely to melt and the trail become hike-able, or is winter socked in for good?

Based on the NWS maps, it looks like there is little to no snow south of Fontana Dam on the trail. You could leap forward to there, and enjoy the end of fall in Southern NC and Georgia. Because this is the result of a hurricane, it is somewhat likely that you would be considered a 2,000 miler even without finishing Hot Springs to Fontana. Last year, the entire state of Vermont was closed because of Irene, this situation is very similar.

You can always finish up that section later as well. Would make a great vacation week (like 7-9 days).