Extreme Cold of -20°C... Search Operations Halted
Using Camping Gear to Endure Until the Weather Warms Up
A man in his 20s who went missing after climbing the Rocky Mountains alone in British Columbia, Canada, was rescued after five weeks.
On the 28th (local time), British BBC and others reported that 20-year-old Sam Bannestick was found on the Redfern Lake Trail on the 26th, five weeks after he went missing.
Bannestick had gone on a 10-day fishing and hiking trip to the Redfern-Kaylee Park area in the northern Rocky Mountains when he disappeared.
The area where he went missing is known to be rugged and remote, consisting of low hills, steep alpine cliffs, and glaciers, and is several hours away from the nearest town.
Rescue authorities and his family conducted extensive aerial and ground search operations over a vast area to find him. However, due to the severe cold weather with temperatures dropping to minus 20 degrees Celsius, the search had to be suspended at the end of last month.
According to Bannestick’s statement to the police, he stayed in his car for the first few days and then moved to a dry creek bed. Using a waterproof tarp, backpack, and camping gear he had, he camped and endured for about 10 to 15 days.
Later, when the weather improved, he moved and was able to encounter witnesses. According to the witnesses, Bannestick was found with a sleeping bag cut and wrapped around his legs for warmth and was in a very exhausted state.
Adam Hawkins of the Prince George Search and Rescue team expressed amazement at Bannestick’s safe return, saying, “Considering the limited supplies, equipment, and food, even an experienced person would find it difficult to survive under these conditions.”
Madonna Sanderson of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) also said, “Considering the length of time missing and the weather, we were concerned about other outcomes,” adding, “Bannestick’s return alive has made his family very happy.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
