Hiker Missing for Five Weeks in British Columbia Wilderness Found Alive
A 20-year-old hiker who spent over five weeks lost in the remote backwoods of British Columbia has been found alive, defying expectations amid harsh winter conditions.
Sam Benastick was reported missing on October 19 after failing to return from a planned 10-day fishing and hiking trip in Redfern-Keily Provincial Park, located in the northern Rocky Mountains.
Search and rescue efforts were called off in late October due to severe weather, which saw temperatures plummet to as low as -20°C (-4°F). On Tuesday, Benastick was discovered by two workers traveling along the Redfern Lake trail, who recognized him as the missing hiker when he approached them.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Corporal Madonna Saunderson expressed relief at his safe recovery. “Given the time he was missing, we feared a much different outcome,” she said, adding that Benastick’s family is overjoyed by the news.
Survival Against the Odds
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According to police, Benastick explained that he initially stayed in his vehicle for several days before moving to a nearby creek where he camped for 10 to 15 days. Equipped with only a tarp, a backpack, and some camping supplies, he later relocated down the valley, building a makeshift shelter in a dried-out creek bed as winter conditions worsened, including snowfall.
Eventually, Benastick found his way to a more traveled area, where he flagged down the two workers who rescued him.
Prince George Search and Rescue Manager Adam Hawkins described the conditions as extremely challenging for survival. “Even someone with extensive experience would find it difficult to endure such circumstances with limited supplies, equipment, and food,” he told the BBC.
Comprehensive Search Efforts
The original search involved multiple teams, including the RCMP, Canadian Rangers, ground and air rescue units, and family and friends. Despite their efforts, the rugged terrain — characterized by steep cliffs, low-lying hills, and even glaciated areas — made the operation immensely difficult.
Benastick’s last known location had been at a trailhead near Redfern Lake, the park’s largest body of water, where he was spotted riding his red dirt bike.
Current Condition
Little is known about Benastick’s physical condition or the full details of his survival strategy, but he is currently receiving care at a hospital. Local inn owner Mike Reid, who hosted Benastick’s family during the search, revealed that the hiker had cut his sleeping bag to wrap it around his legs for warmth.
Reid reported that Benastick was in “rough shape” and nearly collapsed as he was placed into an ambulance.
Hawkins expressed curiosity about Benastick’s experience, noting that understanding his survival tactics could provide valuable insights for future search and rescue operations.
Despite the challenges, Benastick’s resilience and eventual rescue have brought relief and gratitude to those who worked tirelessly to find him.