VA-Kenneth R. Knight, 41, 4-26-09 Appalachian Ntl. Scenic Trail

[Tonia]

Ann Arbor hiker missing on Appalachian National Scenic Trail in Virginia

An Ann Arbor man has been missing on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in Virginia since Sunday morning, sparking a large search to find the experienced hiker.

Kenneth R. Knight, 41, was last seen between 9 and 10 a.m. Sunday at Punchbowl Mountain, Blue Ridge Parkway, mile 51.7, in the area of Buchanan and Bedford, Va., according to the Web site www.backpackinglight. Knight is an editor at Backpacking Light.

Knight is described as an experienced Appalachian Trail hiker, but has a vision impairment that may have caused him to lose the trail, the site says. Knight regularly blogs via iPhone when he has cellular coverage; his last known blog entry was a short video posted Sunday morning at 6:36 a.m.

The Web site also notes Knight reported not feeling well Sunday and suggested he might go off the trail. He missed a planned rendezvous with other hikers Tuesday and missed his flight back home to Michigan Wednesday night.

In addition to his work at backpackinglight.com, which began in 2004, Knight's online resume lists his occupation from 1994-1998 as a software engineer. It also includes volunteer work at The Ark and the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum.

"Ken's one of those people you can always count on if you need something," said Ark marketing director Barb Chaffer Authier. "He's a very dedicated and committed person, and a real integral part of the Ark community."

http://blog.mlive.com/annarbornews_impact/2009/04/small_043009ken-knight_lg.jpg

http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2009/04/ann_arbor_hiker_missing_on_app.html

[Tonia]

Crews continue searching overnight for missing Appalachian Trail hiker from Ann Arbor

Coordinators of the search for a missing Appalachian Trail hiker from Ann Arbor said Friday they are still very hopeful they can find the man.

Gary Roakes, the director of public safety for Amherst County, Va., said about 50 people with tracking dogs and searchers on horses haven't found Kenneth R. Knight, who went missing on the trail in Virginia.

Roakes said Knight had three to four days worth of food with him when last seen Sunday, according to people with him at the time.

http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2009/05/crews_continue_searching_overn.html

[Tonia]

Rescuers find hiker who vanished from Va. trail

A legally blind hiking magazine editor who went missing along the Appalachian Trail in Virginia has been found in good condition.
Backpacking Light chief executive officer Ryan Jordan says Knight set a brush fire several miles from where he was last seen that attracted the attention of firefighters.

Knight was being taken to a local hospital, but Jordan says he did not think Knight was injured.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/02/AR2009050201939.html

Im really glad to hear this,i was worried about this guy being blind and him being missing.

[Kat]

I'm so happy to hear this update. TY Tonia!