The news has been making the rounds through the outdoor community today that Ken Knight, a contributing editor at Backpacking Light Magazine, has gone missing on the Appalachian Trail. Knight was last seen hiking near the Punchbowl Mountain area of Virginia last Sunday morning.
Knight is an avid and experienced hiker with plenty of trail time under his belt, but he is also visually impaired. He was also said to have been complaining of illness before setting off on the trail as well. Ken is described as being 5’4″ tall and weighing around 180-200 pounds. He was last seen carrying a dry-bag style backpack with an orange packbag.
Ken has been trailing behind a group of hikers, but was arriving to camp each night along with them. When he mentioned he wasn’t feeling well, he said that he might go off the trail, so they were not alarmed when he didn’t join them in camp that night. Knight was expected to be at mile 76.3 on Tuesday, but failed to arrive, and then missed his flight home to Michigan on Wednesday. A search for his whereabouts is now underway.
For more information, check out this press release from the editor of Backpacking Light, and if you have any news that could help, send an e-mail to: publisher@backpackinglight.com.
Lets keep our fingers crossed that Ken is okay and just laying low somewhere while he gets over being ill.
- Gear Review: The Xero Scrambler Mid is an Ultralight Hiking Shoe for Spring - March 1, 2023
- Gear Review: Yeti Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler - August 18, 2022
- Kristin Harila Continues Pursuit of 8000-Meter Speed Record - August 16, 2022
Seems odd that he was walking alone behind a group. Then again I’m a very social walker.
Apparently he is a very experienced hiker who does this kind of thing all the time. He’s a bit slower on the trail and follows along at his own pace, arriving in camp behind the others.
I believe he was traveling by himself, and the other hikers just kept an eye out for him every night.
Lets keep our fingers crossed for a miracle here.
Please update us if you find out anything more about this. In this situation, even a twisted ankle or fractured bone can be dangerous. Then, he is an experienced hiker and came prepared, so his chances of being OK are much better than most. I agree, lets keep our fingers crossed and hope for a miracle.
Yeah we’ll keep him in our thoughts and prayers. Hopefully he will be found soon.
Unfortunately, it has now been a week since he was last seen, which doesn’t bode well. Still hoping for a miracle, but it isn’t looking good. 🙁
Thankfully he was found 05/02/09.
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/missing_hiker_alert.html?id=HnfaDHgP:98.215.120.214
Jerry
Awesome news!! So happy to hear this. I’ll post an update as soon as I get the chance. Thanks for the tip Jerry! 🙂