Nature enthusiast survives 50 days lost in Canadian wilderness

Sam Benastick, a 20-year-old nature enthusiast, went missing at the beginning of October during an expedition in Canada's Redfern-Keily Park. Despite intensive search efforts involving over 50 people, tracking dogs, and helicopters, the rescue operation was called off after two weeks. It was thought survival was impossible in such harsh conditions, reports The Guardian.

However, 50 days after his disappearance, Benastick was found by drilling platform workers near a service road. He emerged from the wilderness, supporting himself with two sticks, and his legs wrapped in a sleeping bag. He was immediately taken to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with dehydration and frostbite.

By November, snowfalls occur in the region, and temperatures can drop below -4 degrees Fahrenheit. Survival is very difficult, with past records showing temperatures as low as -76 degrees. - Finding Sam alive is the absolute best outcome. After all the time he was missing, it was feared that this was would not be the outcome – said Madonna Saunderson, the head of the local police, quoted by CNN.

Those are very difficult conditions for really anyone to survive in, especially [with] limited supplies and equipment and food. Even someone with quite a bit of experience would find that challenging - said Adam Hawkins, who led the search operation, as quoted by the BBC.

The man explained that initially he slept in his car and later set up camp by a mountain stream. He then descended into a valley, where he built a camp in a dry creek bed. His mother expressed gratitude for finding her son and stated that he needs time to recover. During the search, the family stayed in a local hotel where authorities tried to keep their spirits up.

Redfern-Keily Park is located in British Columbia, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. The park is quite remote from civilization, with the nearest road being up to 50 miles away.