At a Glance
- George Smyth, 18, vanished Nov. 14 while hiking toward Romania’s Bran Castle, known as Dracula’s Castle
- He placed a desperate call for help nine days later and has not been seen since
- Severe weather, avalanches and rugged terrain have stalled rescue efforts
- Why it matters: A family’s plea for closure highlights the dangers of solo winter hiking in the Carpathians
George Smyth set out alone toward the fortress marketed to tourists as Dracula’s Castle and never returned. The University of Bristol freshman dialed Romania’s emergency number on Nov. 23, disoriented and hypothermic, then disappeared into the jagged Bucegi Mountains. Nearly two months later, his family still clings to the hope of bringing him home.
The Disappearance
Smyth left for the popular trail above Bran commune on November 14. Nine days passed before the 18-year-old rang for rescue. Rescuers say he was already suffering from exposure.
Search teams found his backpack in the same sector where the call originated. Inside:
- A sleeping bag
- A tent
- Food supplies
The gear has only deepened the mystery. “We don’t understand what happened and where he could have gone,” Sebastian Marinescu, director of Salvamont Brașov, told local media.
Brutal Conditions on the Mountain
The Bucegi range turned hostile soon after Smyth arrived. Marinescu described:
- Strong winds
- Heavy snowfall
- Dense fog
- Persistent avalanche danger
- Growing snow accumulation
The area is “very isolated and hard-to-access,” Marinescu added. Specially trained mountain rescuers remain on standby, ready to move if any fresh clue surfaces.
Family Statement
On the Facebook page of Smyth’s rugby club, the Newport Salop Rugby Club, relatives posted an emotional tribute.
“We are deeply sorry for the pain we all share,” they wrote. “George was a phenomenally kind and selfless person, fiercely loyal to his friends and full of energy and enthusiasm for everything he did.”
They called it “cruel beyond belief that George is now lost to us,” yet vowed: “When the mountains that took him are ready to let go, George will be found, and we will bring him home to say goodbye.”
The family invited anyone who knew him to share memories-“short, long, poignant, funny, serious, daft”-to help keep his spirit alive.
Ongoing Efforts
Salvamont Brașov has scaled back active searches because of continued avalanche risk. Rescuers still patrol access roads and monitor weather models. Any break in the forecast could trigger a new ground sweep.
University of Bristol officials declined to comment, as did the Newport Salop Rugby Club and the Zărnești Local Public Mountain Rescue Service. News Of Los Angeles reached out but received no immediate response.
Key Takeaways
- Solo winter hiking in the Carpathians can turn deadly fast
- Even well-equipped trekkers are vulnerable to sudden weather shifts
- Romanian rescue teams keep personnel ready despite suspended operations
- Smyth’s family draws comfort from shared stories while awaiting the day the mountain “lets go” of their son
