I had Benor from Morthal as a follower ... loaded with stuff he was carrying for me ... I asked him to WAIT HERE far enough away from a battle with the giant in a quest (because he kept charging in and getting killed) ... when I finshed off the giant I went back and MY FOLLOWER WAS GONE .. with ALL my stuff. I did a fast travel back to Whiterun where I have a house ... not there ... I did a fast travel to Morthal (where I found Benor) ... not there ... this is VERY discouraging! I cannot believe there is NO WAY in this game to track a follower! It's almost discouraging enough to just not use a follower. For Pete's sake, even ancient old DIABLO II did a better job than this. Am I missing something. (Forgive me - I'm just frustrated and disappointed at the moment! )

He'll show up. Typically if they get tired of waiting they will wander back to their static starting spot. It may take him a few "game days" to get there though.

You could get his PRID code and have him MoveTo Player. That should pull him up.

I had this happen with Moll the Lioness. I had somehow clicked "time to split ways" without realizing it. She was eating in the Bee & Barb back in Riften a short time later. Still had all my gear.

Yes, tracking your follower in this game is obsolete...[censored], I know.

Best just to reload your save point and send your follower home if you don't need him.

Benor is a coward, careful with him, he'll desert you when you need him most.

I took him to the top of the throat of skyrim, took everything he owned, and told him to get lost.