A hiker who went missing in the frozen wilderness of northern British Columbia has been found alive after a harrowing 50 days. Sam Benastick, an experienced outdoorsman, was located on Tuesday by two workers near the remote Redfern-Keily Provincial Park, roughly 250 kilometers northwest of Fort St. John. They promptly took him to the hospital, where his identity was confirmed. Benastick embarked on a solo camping trip on October 7, with plans to return after 10 days. However, his family reported him missing when he did not return by October 17.
During his time lost, Benastick initially stayed in his vehicle for a few days before moving to a nearby mountainside creek, where he camped for approximately 10 to 15 days. Eventually, he built a shelter in a dry creek bed and made his way to the Redfern Lake Trail, where he flagged down the two men who recognized him. The RCMP expressed immense relief at his rescue, with spokesperson Cpl. Madonna Saunderson stating that finding him alive was the best possible outcome, given the fears surrounding his long disappearance.
Reports indicated that he had set out with a tarp, a black Osprey backpack, and other supplies. He was also believed to be using a Honda dirt bike during his excursion. Despite extensive search efforts involving police dogs and search and rescue personnel, no signs of Benastick had surfaced until his discovery. The RCMP commended the efforts made to locate him, emphasizing the resources committed to the search. Recently, temperatures in the area had plummeted below -20 C, with snowfall compounding the challenges faced in the wilderness. Redfern-Keily Provincial Park is noted for its stunning and rugged landscape, characterized by glaciers, alpine tundra, and rich wildlife.
