In a remarkable turn of events, a hiker named Sam Benastick was found alive after a harrowing experience lost in the wilderness of British Columbia for over five weeks. Benastick, only 20 years old, had embarked on a ten-day fishing and hiking trip in the stunning Redfern-Keily Park, nestled in the scenic northern Rocky Mountains. He was reported missing after failing to return home on October 19, prompting a widespread search and rescue operation. Unfortunately, after extensive efforts, authorities concluded their search by the end of October, citing the dangerous conditions and severe drop in temperatures, which frequently plummeted to around -20°C (-4°F).
On a fortunate Tuesday, two individuals working on the Redfern Lake trail spotted Benastick as he ambled towards them. Recognizing the missing hiker, they quickly contacted the authorities, leading to a swift rescue operation. Royal Canadian Mounted Police Corporal Madonna Saunderson expressed the immense relief felt by both the authorities and Benastick’s family, revealing the fears that had arisen given the lengthy duration of his disappearance. “We’re very grateful. The family is thrilled,” she conveyed, noting that he had merely lost his way in the vast wilderness.
In discussing his harrowing ordeal with police, Benastick shared that he remained in his car for several days after realizing he was lost. Subsequently, he trekked to a nearby creek where he managed to camp out for approximately 10 to 15 days, utilizing the supplies he had brought along, including a tarp and a backpack. As he faced increasingly harsh winter conditions and snowfall, he constructed a makeshift camp in the dried creek bed. Eventually, he found his way to the area where he caught the attention of those who would ultimately become his rescuers.
Adam Smith, the search manager for Prince George Search and Rescue, reflected on the brutal conditions Benastick endured during his time in the wilderness. “Those are very difficult conditions for really anyone to survive in, especially with limited supplies and equipment and food,” he noted, emphasizing the commendable resilience required to navigate through such threatening environmental factors. The rugged terrain—including low-lying hills and steep alpine cliffs—added to the complexity of search operations, rendering it an arduous undertaking for multiple rescue teams, Canadian Rangers, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and even volunteers from Benastick’s family and friends.
Despite the extensive search efforts that scoured a substantial area of the park, which included air searches and ground teams, little information was available concerning Benastick’s condition upon his rescue, apart from being admitted to a local hospital for treatment. He was reported to be in “rough shape” after his experience, requiring immediate medical attention. Local inn owner Mike Reid, who had forged a bond with Benastick’s family during the search operations, shared with CBC that the hiker had ingeniously created makeshift clothing from his sleeping bag to combat the relentless cold, wrapping it around his legs in an effort to keep warm.
Before the search efforts were abandoned, Benastick’s last known whereabouts were tracked to a trailhead at Redfern Lake—the largest lake within the park—where he was last seen riding his red dirt bike. With Smith expressing an intense curiosity to decode the mystery of Benastick’s survival and the specifics of his time in the wild, both the public and rescuers remain eager to gather insights that could enhance future search and rescue protocols.
Overall, Sam Benastick’s survival story serves as a testament to human endurance and the capacity to adapt amid grave circumstances. His encounter with danger has left a lasting impression on both his rescuers and his extended community. As he recovers, there is hope that his experience will not just provide personal insights but also contribute to refining search and recovery processes for the future.
