A prominent American law professor has vanished without a trace during a solo hike in the North Georgia mountains, triggering a large-scale multi-agency search operation.
The Disappearance on Blood Mountain
Charles Hosch, a 67-year-old professor at Southern Methodist University, was last seen on Saturday, November 11, while hiking the Byron Herbert Reece Trail near Blood Mountain in Union County. According to an update from his law firm, the father-of-two is believed to have successfully ascended the peak but failed to return from his descent.
The situation grew more concerning when authorities confirmed that Hosch had spoken with another individual at the mountain's summit around 1:30 pm on the day he vanished. His daughter, Julia, confirmed to the Daily Mail that this conversation represents "the last real concrete fact" the family is working with.
An Experienced Hiker Gone Missing
Described by his firm as a "creature of habit," Hosch was intimately familiar with the terrain, having hiked the area since his childhood in Gainesville. His daughter elaborated that the mountain held special significance for him, as he had spent considerable time there as a boy scout.
"He is very aware of how to teach survival skills, which gives us hope," Julia stated, highlighting her father's close work with Eagle Scouts and his extensive outdoor experience.
The family confirmed that his sudden radio silence was completely out of character for the Harvard graduate, whom they described as being "very communicative." His wife raised the alarm after receiving no contact from him.
The Intensive Search Operation
The search for Professor Hosch has mobilised significant resources. His daughter reported that approximately 95 search and rescue professionals were combing the area on Sunday alone.
The operation has deployed multiple assets including K-9 units, which have reportedly picked up his scent, along with drone operations to cover the challenging terrain. The Union County Sheriff's Office has made a public appeal, asking hunters to review their game cameras on or near the trail for any potential footage that might aid the search.
Hosch is described as 6 feet 1 inch tall, weighing around 200 pounds, and wearing glasses. He was last seen wearing khaki pants, a camel-coloured sweater, and a dark green jacket.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to immediately call 911 or the Union County Emergency Operations Center at 706-439-6091.
