A Canadian woman who went missing on a spiritual hiking trip in the backcountry of southwest Colorado -- alone, with no cellphone and while fasting -- was found alive after four days.
Gina Chase, 53, was found safe and uninjured on Saturday following a massive, days-long search effort, according to the San Miguel County Sheriff's Office.
"Obviously this is the outcome we were all hoping for, and we couldn't be happier for Ms. Chase and her family. The ultimate success of this mission is a real testament to our responders' tenacity, perseverance, and dedication," Sheriff Bill Masters said in a statement.
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Chase was part of a group of 11 campers who, by design, set off alone into the backcountry. Participants were discouraged from bringing cell phones or any other electronics and to fast on their so-called "quests" to "maximize a spiritual experience with nature," police said. The "Animas Valley Institute," which operates out of Durango, near the New Mexico border, runs the program.
Chase was last seen the morning of Wednesday, August 14th, heading out for her solo journey in the Lone Cone area outside Norwood. She was reported missing on Thursday afternoon when a group leader determined that she had not reported back to camp as expected and they could not locate her.
"Campers used a buddy system designed to confirm that each camper had returned to their campsites. The 'buddy' of the missing person arrived at the main camp on Thursday, August 15 and found that Gina had not 'checked in.' The individual reported this to one of the guides who then searched her campsite looking for clues and determined Gina perhaps did not sleep there the preceding night. Her 'daypack' was missing which purportedly contains an emergency blanket, a whistle, a power bar, and some water," police said.
Dozens of search and rescue teams, along with aircraft resources and K9 partners, spent days traversing difficult terrain and dense underbrush, which made the search especially challenging.
While Chase was found safe, the sheriff's office advises hikers that they should never be alone when going into the backcountry.
"You should always bring technology for communications. Furthermore you should not starve yourself even if a 'guide' service suggests the opposite of these basic safety rules," Sheriff Masters said. "Nature does not care about your safety and will kill you especially if are not properly prepared."
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