BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. — Authorities said Thursday they were seeking a person of interest in the disappearance of a 24-year-old hiker missing since Tuesday.

Police said the man, described as 60 years old, weighing 160 pounds, was seen several times on New Year's Day with Meredith Emerson, 24, a Colorado native now living in Buford, Ga.

"This man was seen with her on multiple occasions during that day," Union County investigator Kimberly Verdone said on Thursday.

Verdone said witnesses said the man had a large yellow backpack with enough gear for days. She said they described the man as "weathered and no teeth."

Friends said Emerson went hiking with her black Labrador retriever on Tuesday. Her 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier was found abandoned Wednesday at the base of Blood Mountain.

Police confirmed that a water bottle and dog collar found near a hiking trail belonged to Emerson.

At the request of the Union County Sheriff's Department, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation sent four agents to join in the search Thursday morning, GBI spokesman John Bankhead said.

The Georgia State Patrol pitched in with a helicopter using an infrared device. The helicopter had been grounded by high winds on Wednesday.

"She's an experienced hiker and a blue belt in martial arts," said Julia Karrenbauer, Emerson's roommate. "She's athletic and has a good head on her shoulders. So we're just hoping for the best."