A skier who went missing from Whiteface Mountain in New York state has mysteriously turned up in California wearing he same gear he had on when he vanished.
Constantinos ‘Danny’ Filippidis, 49, of Toronto, was reported missing last Wednesday by friends who said he could not be found as the resort was closing.
The intermediate level skier said he was going to get one more run and went out by himself but then vanished.
Filippidis was found wearing the same ski gear, including the helmet and goggles, he was last seen in when he was reported missing
It is unclear how he managed to get to California and a colleague said it was unlikely that he flew as his passport was left behind.
According to New York State Police, the married father-of-two was found in a confused 2,900 miles away Tuesday in Sacramento after making contact with law enforcement there.
The 28-year veteran firefighter’s belongings were found at the lodge and his car was still in the parking lot, NBC5 reported.
Filippidis told friends he was going out for one final run and then vanished
His disappearance sparked a search in which hundreds of volunteers spent about 7,000 hours combing the mountain with helicopters and dogs also deployed in the steep and icy terrain.
He was reported to be in good health though the circumstances of his disappearance remain under investigation.
Filippidis had been skiing with a group of firefighters and retired firefighters but officials have not said why he went missing nor now he travelled to California.
Before Tuesday, police said they had no reason to believe Filippidis was not on the mountain.
The Department of Homeland Security, New York State Police, New York Department of Conservation, United States Customs and Border Protection and officials in Toronto assisted with the search.
Toronto Professional Firefighters Local 3888 President Frank Ramagano said Filippidis was found alone confused and unable to answer questions as to how he got to California.
Ramagano said Filippidis was receiving medical care after calling his wife and then 911.
Filippidis did not have a history of mental illness or substance abuse, Ramagano explained.
He said Filippidis was found wearing the same ski gear, including the helmet and goggles, he was last seen in when he was reported missing.
Ramagano said he did not believe Filippidis flew because he left his passport at Whiteface.