Finding Charles: Over 100 To Search For Missing Professor On GA Mountain

UNION COUNTY, GA — More than 100 people will search for a 67-year-old professor and attorney who disappeared about a month ago on Blood Mountain, according to his family.

Those who knew Charles Hosch said they are not giving up on finding him after he disappeared on Veterans Day at Byron Herbert Reece Trailhead near the Appalachian Trail.

A search that will include at least 100 professional search personnel from across the nation will commence Saturday and Sunday, and organizers said this weekend's hunt for Hosch will be "our largest coordinated effort yet."

"We will not stop searching. We will find Charles," organizers said on a dedicated search website for Hosch.

The Union County Sheriff's Office suspended a formal search in late November, pending new information or clues.

Hosch and Morris - a Dallas, Texas-based law firm where Hosch is co-founder - said he has adored the Blood Mountain area since he was a child in Gainesville. He worked as a professor at Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law at the time of his disappearance.

In a GoFundMe, the family said they are seeking to bring Hosch home for the holidays; but, timing is key.

"We are on a short timeline before the weather will stop us from being able to support daily searches safely. This weekend is potentially our last and best hope at finding Charles, at least in this phase of our search. However, we are not giving up, and neither should you. Together, we can bring Charles home. And, your donations will allow these heroes to bring others' lost family members home, too. Charles (Dad) would love that," the family said in the GoFundMe.

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Hosch stands at 6-feet-1-inch tall and weighs 200 pounds, authorities previously said.

He was last seen wearing khaki pants, a camel-colored sweater and a dark green jacket. He was "descending" from the top of Blood Mountain and possibly meant to hike the Appalachian Trail, a path quite familiar to him, when he could have "lost his way," his law firm stated.

Volunteers are being accepted via SignUp Genius to continue search operations and assist with meal preparations and deliveries, transportation and trailhead coordination.

The GoFundMe has surpassed the $50,000 goal, with more than $68,000 collected as of Friday afternoon.

Monetary donations will benefit search groups, nonprofits who assisted in the search and "causes close to Charles' heart," fundraiser organizers said.

"We remain hopeful. We remain determined. Together, we will bring Charles home. As Charles would say: 'We press on,'" search organizers said.

Sitting in north Georgia, Blood Mountain is the Appalachian Trail's highest summit. The mountain is about 85 miles north of Atlanta and is closest to Blairsville.