Hiker who planned one week on Appalachian Trail has been missing 2 months, park says

A 66-year-old hiker has been missing for more than two months on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia, and concerns are mounting as forecasters call for single digit temperatures in coming days.

James Alan Cattley intended to spend one week walking the trail through Shenandoah National Park, according to the National Park Service.

But that week has since stretched to two and a half months, and no one has heard from him, investigators say.

The National Park Service took to social media Dec. 21 to ask for clues, including any recollections people might have of seeing someone who looked like Cattley on the trail or in the park.

“Cattley’s vehicle was found at the Turk Gap Parking, mile 94.1, on Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park,” park officials posted on Facebook.

“He filed a backcountry permit on September 22 for seven nights on the Appalachian Trail with an anticipated exit of October 6.”

A 101-mile section of the Appalachian Trail runs through Shenandoah National Park, much of it parallel to Skyline Drive where Cattley’s car was found.

The region is forecast to get freezing rain and snow in the days before Christmas, along with gusts of 43 mph and temperatures as low as 5 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

This story was originally published December 21, 2022 at 1:44 PM with the headline "Hiker who planned one week on Appalachian Trail has been missing 2 months, park says."