Great Smoky Mountains National Park rangers are still searching for a hiker who went missing in the park over a week ago. Gordon Kaye, 69, of Tampa, Florida was last seen on April 22 on the lower loop of Deep Creek Campground, where he had reserved a campsite for 14 days. His family reported him missing on April 26.
Kaye is a 69-year-old white male with brown hair and blue eyes. He is 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs 200-plus pounds. He may be suffering from a mental health crisis. He is described as an experienced hiker and hunter.
Authorities have thus far focused the search on trails and areas in and around Deep Creek Campground. The area in question is several miles south of the Appalachian Trail.
Park rangers say that more than 120 people from 29 agencies and three states are helping with the search: South Orange Rescue Squad, Swain County Emergency Management and EMS, Chattanooga Hamilton Rescue Squad, Cherokee Fire and Rescue, Graham County Emergency Management, Appalachian Mountain Rescue Team, Swain County Rescue, Spartanburg County Rescue Squad, Haywood County Search and Rescue, Haywood County Emergency Management, North Carolina Emergency Management, North Carolina Wildlife, Asheville Fire Department, BUSAR, Haywood County Incident Management Team, Cherokee County Emergency Management, Henderson County Rescue Squad, Jackson County Rescue Squad, Cullowhee Fire and Rescue, Qualla Fire Department, Linville Central Rescue Squad, Knoxville Police Department, Graham County Rescue Squad, South Carolina Search and Rescue, South Carolina Pride Search Dog Team, Ash Rande Rescue, Cherokee County Search and Rescue, Cowee Fire, and North Carolina Forest Service.
Anyone who saw Kaye or has information about his whereabouts is asked to please contact Great Smoky Mountains National Park Dispatch at 865-436-1230 or Swain County Dispatch at 828-488-2196.
Featured image via National Park Service.
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