A hiker who had been missing for more than six weeks was found in the Canadian wilderness earlier this week, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
Northern Rockies RCMP were notified around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday that Sam Benastic, 20, had been located. He was reported missing by his family on October 19th.
Benastick’s family was surprised when he did not check in after leaving on a 10-day solo camping trip on Oct. 7 amid harsh winter conditions with temperatures dropping below 4 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Sam Benastick, 20, was found in the Canadian wilderness on November 26 after being reported missing by his family on October 19. (GoFundMe)
Benastick was discovered when two people traveling to Redfern Lake Trail for work saw him walking towards him. He was using a cane to support himself and a cut-up sleeping bag to keep his legs warm.
The men took Benastic to the hospital, where police identified him as the missing camper.
He told police he stayed in the car for a while and then walked to the creek and into the mountains, where he camped for 10 to 15 days. He then went down the valley, built a camp and shelter in a dried up creek bed, and eventually took down the two men.
Sam Benastick’s family was surprised when he failed to check in after leaving on a 10-day solo camping trip in harsh winter weather on October 7. (GoFundMe)
“The best outcome is for Sam to be found alive. We have been fearful since he went missing that this will be the outcome,” said RCMP Cpl. Madonna Saunderson.
The agency went on to thank several jurisdictions for providing mutual aid support during the search, as well as Canadian Rangers and volunteers with extensive backcountry knowledge of the area.
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Appearance of the Canadian flag. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
“The time, effort and resources put into finding Sam from the time we were notified he was missing was immeasurable. We are grateful for the excellent outcome,” said Saunderson.
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His missing sister has set up a GoFundMe to help with the costs of finding him.
