A search team of more than 30 left the grounds behind Tamaqua Area High School noon Thursday in search of a man missing in the deep woods of Sharp Mountain.

Jesse Farber, 29, of Tamaqua, who also goes by the name Jesse Rex, was last seen Tuesday afternoon. The last contact made by Farber was a cell phone call to his girlfriend, Rachel Carroll, in which he sounded frantic and needing help, said family members.

"It was only a couple of seconds," Carroll said. "He was very despondent."

Some family members believe Farber was hiking over the mountain to visit with his grandmother, Rae Ferryman, who lives n New England Valley.

Farber's mother, Norma Fritz of Jim Thorpe, said Farber is very familiar with the mountain. In fact, all four of her sons, she said, often

hiked and camped on the mountain, even as children.

"They were like little Indians," she remarked.

By 1 p.m., the search party was expanded to include a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter, Northeast Search and Rescue based in Monroe County, the Tamaqua Fire Department and Tamaqua Rescue Squad.

"We'll see what turns up with the search from the New England Valley side," said Tamaqua Police Chief Rick Weaver at 2 p.m.

By mid-afternoon, search parties had located a backpack. But it was orange and black and didn't match the one owned by Farber.

Farber stands five-feet, six inches tall and weighs 130 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black hoodie and carrying a camo-style backpack.

See Friday's Times News for the full story.