The good question is; when does it get cold in the higher elevations and when can you expect snow?.
Once the snow flies, he had better have a cabin somewhere and enough food to get him through the winter.
What they should be doing is watching the remote cabins for activity, as best they can.
I’m about one mile from the AT in WNC. It’s been 40F already in the mornings and we’re due for a killing frost at any time. There’ll be plenty of empty cabins around after leaf season is through and the summer people go back home. Lots of deer and wild turkeys.
Smoke n' mirrors to keep us from storming Washington DC with 2nd Amendment pitchforks.
The second chain link fence is STILL up.