The Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office said a search in the Woody Gap area for a hiker who hasn't been seen in five days has been suspended, but the investigation into his whereabouts is not over.
Lucas Baxter, 18, was last seen the afternoon of Friday, Oct. 22 on the University of North Georgia Dahlonega campus, where he is a student.
Lt. Alan Roach with the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office, said crews have changed the scope of their search, thinking Baxter is no longer in the area of Woody Gap. In a phone interview Wednesday, Roach said search crews had combed the area from Woody Gap to Preacher's Rock to Dockery Lake and also from Woody Gap to Gooch Gap. He said volunteers and law enforcement showed flyers with Baxter's photo to hikers along the trails in the area, but no one reported seeing Baxter.
Roach said Baxter is an experienced hiker and had hiked both on and off trails in the region numerous times. He also said Baxter may be unaware that people are looking for him.
"We are hoping we have a positive outcome," Roach said.
Baxter's family also continued to post updates to the Facebook account of North Georgia Hiking & Adventure. The latest update was posted Wednesday morning.
"At this point, there is just too much ground to cover..he could be just about anywhere. So we are asking hikers in the extended area to be vigilant, and ask Lucas to make contact with family if they cross paths with him. We just pray he is not injured," the post said.
Original story posted Tuesday, Oct. 26 11:50 a.m.
A search is underway in the North Georgia mountains for a young hiker who hasn't been seen since Oct. 22.
The Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office said crews are using Woody Gap as a base camp in the search for Lucas Baxter.
A social media post on the LCSO Facebook page said Baxter is 5'10" and weighs about 145 lbs. He has brown hair and blue eyes. He may be wearing round glasses and carrying a teal backpack.
Baxter's family members have also taken to social media to appeal for help as they look for the 18-year-old.
One post indicated Baxter likes to hike off trail, so they are asking experienced hikers to join the search. The same post said he was last seen heading towards Springer Mountain. Family members have indicated Baxter's vehicle was found in a parking lot.
Anyone who has information on Baxter's whereabout is asked to contact Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office Investigator Marcus Sewell at 706-482-2619 or email him at [email protected]. Lumpkin County Dispatch will also field information at 706-864-3633.
