A 71-year-old Monroe County man is safe after being the focus of a major search and rescue operation Sunday afternoon. The resident of Blue Mountain Village just off Mountain Road in Ross Township was last seen sometime Sunday morning by friends. When he failed to arrive back at his residence at lunch friends and family members began to look for him. Shortly after 2 p.m. state police from Lehighton joined the search along with a state police helicopter. Fire companies from throughout eastern Monroe and Northampton counties were called in as well as several search and rescue teams. Approximately 4:15 p.m. the victim was spotted walking along a pipe line near a quarry to the north of his home. He was removed from the mountain and transported to safety by a all terrain vehicle. He was then accompanied to an awaiting ambulance by family members and several medics. State police at Lehighton are investigating the incident.