Overdue Smokies backpacker located in good condition

GATLINBURG – At about 4:00 p.m. this afternoon ground searchers on the Appalachian Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park spotted what they thought might be a tent on an outcrop approximately a mile from their vantage point.  The searchers were able to guide a helicopter which had been contracted to assist in the search to the tent’s location.   At around 4:15 p.m. the pilot spotted Morgan Briggs, 70, of Pigeon Forge, Tenn. waving his arms to attract attention.

The helicopter dropped a pack to Briggs containing food, water and a Park radio.   Search managers talked with Briggs and determined that he was all right but did not think he could get to a trail from his location due to steep terrain and heavy brush.

Briggs is currently atop Porters Mountain (approximate elevation 5,000’) a narrow ridge that lies about one mile north of the Appalachian Trail. Porters Mountain is about one mile to the east of the route he had planned to take to intersect the Appalachian Trail at Dry Sluice Gap.

By the time Briggs was located, it was too late in the day to get ground searchers to his location, and there was no place to land the helicopter, so plans are being developed to get Briggs out tomorrow.

Rangers are developing plans to send in two teams from different directions in on the ground, but their preferred alternative is to use a helicopter that has hoisting capability.   A Tennessee Highway Patrol helicopter is scheduled to arrive at McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville early tomorrow morning, and if weather and other conditions cooperate Rangers hope to have Briggs out to Park Headquarters by mid-morning.

Briggs has been overdue since Tuesday when he was expected return from a four day backpacking trip.   Rangers do not know at this point how Briggs came to be at the location or when he arrived there.