A 20-year-old hiker named Sam Benastick, who had been missing for over six weeks, was found in the Canadian wilderness earlier this week, as reported by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Benastick was reported missing by his family on October 19 after they lost contact with him during a 10-day solo camping trip that began on October 7. His family grew worried due to the harsh winter conditions they were experiencing, with temperatures dropping below 4 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sam was discovered by two men near the Redfern Lake Trail. They spotted him walking towards them, using walking sticks for support and wrapped in a cut-up sleeping bag for warmth. The duo took him to a hospital, where authorities confirmed his identity as the missing camper.
When questioned, Benastick explained that he had spent some time in his car but later walked to a creek and set up camp on the mountainside. He stayed there for about 10 to 15 days before moving to a dried-out creek bed, where he built a shelter and eventually signaled for help.
Cpl. Madonna Saunderson of the RCMP expressed relief at finding Sam alive, stating, “This is the absolute best outcome. It was feared after all this time that we would not have such a happy ending.” She also extended gratitude to the various teams and volunteers who supported the search efforts, highlighting the invaluable help from Canadian Rangers and those with extensive knowledge of the backcountry.
Following Sam’s disappearance, his sister set up a GoFundMe account to help with the search expenses, showing the community’s support during a challenging time for the family.
