PDA

View Full Version : 70 Year Old Hiker Missing In The Smokies



TOW
08-28-2009, 22:09
http://yoursmokies.blogspot.com/2009/08/search-for-hiker-in-great-smoky.html

Tripod
08-28-2009, 22:20
Very interesting, I stayed at the Mt. Laconte shelter Monday night. I was called by a ranger today (8/28) and asked several questions about the missing hiker who was supposed to stay at the same shelter with me on Monday. Unfortunately I didn't see him. I ended up spending the night by myself (if you don't count the bear that wondered around the shelter for THREE hours!) I certainly hope Mr. Briggs is ok.

warraghiyagey
08-28-2009, 23:24
Agreed. . . best thoughts out to Mr. Briggs. . . . :sun:sun:sun:sun

modiyooch
08-29-2009, 06:36
Very interesting, I stayed at the Mt. Laconte shelter Monday night. I was called by a ranger today (8/28) and asked several questions about the missing hiker who was supposed to stay at the same shelter with me on Monday. Unfortunately I didn't see him. I ended up spending the night by myself (if you don't count the bear that wondered around the shelter for THREE hours!) I certainly hope Mr. Briggs is ok.that should narrow the search area for them

modiyooch
08-29-2009, 18:39
Missing Pigeon Forge hiker found 'alive and well'

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/aug/29/park-search-resumes-missing-pigeon-forge-hiker/

Midway Sam
08-29-2009, 18:42
Missing Pigeon Forge hiker found 'alive and well'

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/aug/29/park-search-resumes-missing-pigeon-forge-hiker/


:banana :banana :banana **WOOHOO** :banana :banana :banana

johnnybgood
08-29-2009, 18:53
This is great news . I suppose we will hear more details on why he was over due .

Blissful
08-29-2009, 19:19
Good news.

Tripod
08-29-2009, 22:24
Never met Mr. Briggs but would like to.:D

hikingshoes
08-29-2009, 23:05
Great,glad he's ok..

Ox97GaMe
08-29-2009, 23:22
I know Morgan. Met him at Icewater a couple weeks ago. We were planning a trip over to Kephart Shelter next week to look at a bridge crossing that was starting to wash out. Im sure he is doing ok. Probably just got turned around a bit while bush whacking up to the ridgeline. Im sure he will have some good stories to tell when I see him. :)

Trillium
08-30-2009, 01:08
I am grateful that he was found, apparently safe and sound. Looking forward to more details tomorrow.

High Altitude
08-30-2009, 02:38
Maybe he just changed his mind with respect to where he wanted to hike. The permit system there is stupid. Backpacking is not about a strict schedule of where you are going to sleep every night.

TOW
08-30-2009, 06:46
cool!:sun:sun:sun

Marta
08-30-2009, 08:10
Maybe he just changed his mind with respect to where he wanted to hike. The permit system there is stupid. Backpacking is not about a strict schedule of where you are going to sleep every night.

I rather doubt that. He would know his family would start a search for him when he didn't return on schedule. I doubt he would do something like that on a whim.

modiyooch
08-30-2009, 08:11
Maybe he just changed his mind with respect to where he wanted to hike. The permit system there is stupid. Backpacking is not about a strict schedule of where you are going to sleep every night.
no, but at this point it led to an earlier discovery. Although, I tend to backpack alone; it's not the best scenario from a safety viewpoint. I'm only speculating, but it sounds like he did run into some kind of trouble early into his hike and has just hunkered down until he was found.

modiyooch
08-30-2009, 09:14
from a winston salem article:

Briggs was stuck on a ridge line in rugged terrain at about 5,100 feet and can't go up or down. He has set up camp, including a yellow tent.
The helicopter dropped him food and water and a portable radio.
Miller said that rescuers were running out of daylight yesterday and would try to reach him today.

bigcranky
08-30-2009, 09:16
More info in my local paper this morning:

http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2009/aug/29/searchers-find-70-year-old-backpacker/

modiyooch
08-30-2009, 09:26
actually, there is a reporter/hiker, Christopher Hibbard, that has hiked to a vantage point overlooking Porter Mt and is twittering the rescue operations.

he had a very informative article last night. article and blogspot can be found here

http://yoursmokies.blogspot.com/2009/08/missing-hiker-in-great-smoky-mountains_29.html

chief
08-30-2009, 11:02
in another jurisdiction he probably would be considered negligent and presented with a large bill for his rescue.

Wise Old Owl
08-30-2009, 11:44
in another jurisdiction he probably would be considered negligent and presented with a large bill for his rescue.

No that's how folks great each other in the woods in NH, then in a North East accent, "you goin to pay for that in a while...." Its a Maine thin, ya knew:-?

Midway Sam
08-30-2009, 18:43
No that's how folks great each other in the woods in NH, then in a North East accent, "you goin to pay for that in a while...." Its a Maine thin, ya knew:-?

Sounds like he just got a bit turned around. Glad this one has a happy ending...

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/aug/30/missing-smokies-hiker-back-home/

pafarmboy
08-30-2009, 18:48
This just goes to show that even experienced backpackers can end up lost and in need of help. Two thumbs up to all those who were part of the S&R.

OldStormcrow
09-01-2009, 09:52
I remember running into this guy at Cosby Knob Shelter when he was a ridgerunner....nice guy.

Pedaling Fool
09-01-2009, 10:10
I think I talked to him at the laundrymat in Fontana in 2007.

Flush2wice
09-01-2009, 10:23
Always hike with spam.