Staff reports

FRANKLIN - Search crews late Friday rescued a hiker who became disoriented during severe weather.

Michael Gelfeld, 21, of Takoma Park, Maryland, was rescued around midnight and was not injured, Macon County Emergency Services Director Warren Cabe said in a news release.

Gelfeld had been hiking the Appalachian Trail near Albert Mountain Friday and contacted 911 around noon seeking help due to exposure to the weather near the area of Coweeta Gap and Albert Mountain.

Upon reaching the area initially, emergency crews were unable to locate him.

Crews ultimately found him off the trail near Bear Pen Creek after contacting his cellphone and using coordinates supplied by an emergency location beacon.

Beacon signals were processed by Macon County 911 telecommunicators, who relayed information to ground crews searching the area.

Gelfeld was an experienced hiker and was well-prepared, but became disoriented in the snowstorm and was unable to stay on the trail in the area, Cabe said.

Gelfeld was evaluated by Macon County EMS and was not injured despite exposure to the cold and snow, Cabe said.

Search crews from Otto and Cowee fire and rescue departments, the U.S. Forest Service and Macon County Emergency Services used utility vehicles and snowmobiles to access the remote area with an elevation over 5,000 feet, which received 24 inches of snow in places. Clay County Emergency Management also provided resources and assistance.