Sam Benastick, a 20-year-old avid hiker, was found alive after surviving more than five weeks in the remote wilderness of British Columbia. He had been reported missing on 19 October after failing to return from a planned 10-day hiking and fishing trip in Redfern-Keily Park, a rugged area in the northern Rocky Mountains.
Authorities had called off search efforts in late October as temperatures in the region plummeted to as low as -20°C (-4°F). On Tuesday, two workers traveling along the Redfern Lake trail recognized Benastick as the missing hiker and helped him to safety.
Benastick had limited supplies when he went missing, including a tarp, a sleeping bag, and a backpack. He initially stayed in his car for a few days before moving to a creek, where he camped for up to two weeks.
As conditions worsened, with snowfalls and freezing temperatures, he built a shelter in a dried-out creek bed. To stay warm, he reportedly cut up his sleeping bag to wrap around his legs. Eventually, he made his way back toward the trail where he flagged down his rescuers.
The search for Benastick had involved multiple teams, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canadian Rangers, and local volunteers. Adam Hawkins, a search manager with Prince George Search and Rescue, described the terrain as extremely challenging, featuring alpine cliffs, low-lying hills, and glaciated areas.
He called Benastick’s survival remarkable, noting that even experienced hikers would struggle to endure such conditions with limited supplies. Hawkins said he is eager to learn more about how Benastick survived to help improve future rescue efforts.
Benastick is currently recovering in the hospital and was said to be in “rough shape” upon his rescue, nearly collapsing as he was placed into an ambulance. His family, who had stayed in the area throughout the search, expressed immense relief and gratitude for his safe return.
The case serves as a testament to both the dangers of wilderness hiking and the extraordinary resilience required to survive in such harsh conditions
