Smokies rangers search for overdue backpacker

GATLINBURG – Five teams of Great Smoky Mountains National Park trackers searched all day today for 70 year-old Morgan Briggs, who has been overdue since Tuesday, when he had planned to complete a 4-day backpacking trip.  The teams covered a total of nine different drainages and other possible routes between Campsite #31 and the Appalachian Trail, but found nothing of significance.   The terrain being searched is extremely steep, heavily vegetated with rhododendron, and has numerous rocky outcrops and bluffs that require detours.

Other searchers covered 8 miles of trail from the Appalachian Trail south into North Carolina and out to Newfound Gap Road at Kephart Prong Trailhead.

News coverage today has resulted in additional reports by hikers who report having seen Briggs along the Porters Creek Trail between the trailhead and Campsite #31, but no sightings beyond that point in his itinerary.

All five search teams are currently making their way out of the woods and will be debriefed to determine what areas were not well searched.   Search managers will use that information to assign searchers who will go in tomorrow.  Rangers are also in communication with a search dog organization to get one or more search dogs to be put into the trail areas tomorrow.  Helicopters have not been used so far because of poor weather, and because a dense tree canopy usually makes helicopter use only marginally productive.  If weather clears helicopters may be used in future days

Morgan Briggs is a white male 70 years of age, 5’8, 180 lb. with white hair and balding, full white beard, blue eyes and often wears glasses.  He was reportedly wearing brown Danner hiking boots (vibram sole), a green two piece rain suit, and blue jeans or khaki slacks.  Briggs is a very familiar with the Parks backcountry and was one of the Park’s first Appalachian Trail Ridge Runner.  Ridge Runners spend several months on the 71 miles of AT in the Park, providing information, performing trail maintenance and serving as the Park’s eyes on the Trail.

The Park is asking anybody who may have seen Briggs since Saturday morning is asked to contact the Park at 865-436-1230.