Investigators are evaluating an item found south of the Appalachian Trail Saturday that may have belonged to missing hiker Charles Hosch, Blue Ridge radio station WJRB reported Monday.
Union County Fire and EMA director David Dyer says it’s a hiking pole “that may be his but (we’re) not sure.” The item was turned over to the sheriff’s office which is now investigating.
Sheriff Shawn Dyer confirmed that Hosch was believed to have carried such an item when his trek on Blood Mountain began Nov. 11. A fingerprint analysis should take a couple of days, he says.
Sheriff Dyer says it was found in an area that would be consistent with where he might have gone.
The family posted, “we are certainly encouraged…”