The survivor was found on a service road, using two walking sticks and a cut sleeping bag wrapped around his legs for warmth
Sam Benastick traveled to Redfern-Keily Park in the northern Rocky Mountains of Canada for a ten-day fishing and hiking getaway. The 20-year-old man, an avid enthusiast of such excursions, was reported missing on October 19 after not contacting his family or friends beyond the planned absence period. Now, five weeks later, he has been found alive.
The search for Sam, lost in a vast and inhospitable wooded area in British Columbia, was called off at the end of October after several days with no progress. His chances of survival in the hostile terrain, where temperatures drop to -20 degrees at this time of year, were minimal.
Against all odds and to the joy of his loved ones, Sam was discovered on Tuesday by two individuals heading to Redfern Lake trail for work. They found him on a service road, using two walking sticks and a cut sleeping bag wrapped around his legs for warmth. He explained that he had gotten lost.
Benastick has recounted his survival story, worthy of an adventure movie or a Bear Grylls television show. The young man stayed in his car for a couple of days before walking to a stream near a mountain, where he camped for another 10 to 15 days. He then headed to the valley and built a shelter in the dry bed of a stream.
At the time of his disappearance, he had a tarp, a backpack, and some camping supplies, few provisions to survive such an ordeal. But he managed it, although as his uncle has explained to several television networks, he is hospitalized "in pretty bad shape, but he is alive."
"These are very difficult conditions for anyone to survive, especially with limited supplies, equipment, and food," explained Prince George's search and rescue director, Adam Hawkins, to the BBC. "Even someone with considerable experience would find it challenging," he added. The rugged and remote region is hours away from any city and features low hills, steep alpine cliffs, and "even glacier terrain," he said.
Before being found, Benastick's last known location was on a trail in the Redfern Lake region, the largest lake in the park, where he was seen riding his red mountain bike. He was then lost from sight, beginning his incredible battle against nature, from which he miraculously emerged victorious.