A missing hiker who sparked a huge search operation when he checked into a luxury hotel rather than returning home is facing a bill of thousands of dollars for wasting rescuers' time.

Christophe Chamley, 70, an economics professor at Boston University, planned a solo hike over two mountains in New Hampshire last month but failed to return home once he had completed the trek.

The 70-year-old opted to rest his legs at a luxury hotel and sent his wife a message at 1am to let her know he was fine and well.

However the message failed to send - prompting his panicked wife to call mountain rescue services and report him missing.

The huge search operations saw 25 rescuers in snow vehicles, a National Guard helicopter and specialist cold weather equipment deployed.

The hiker began his trek across Mount Adams and Mount Jefferson, in New Hampshire's White Mountain National Forest around 7.45am on April 22.

He managed to summit both mountains but then headed for the Omni Mount Washington Resort hotel, officials told local media.

He checked in around 1am which is when he sent the message to his wife, but failed to check if it had gone through.

Hours into their search, rescuers were alerted to Mr Chamley's whereabouts by staff at the hotel,.