OSTEGO COUNTY (WWJ) A California woman was rescued after she was lost in the wilderness of Northern Michigan for nearly a day.
The Ostego County Sheriff's Office said the 36-year-old woman was participating in a YouTube outdoor survival contest. The contest was taking place in the Pigeon River Forest in Charlton Township, about 15 miles east of Gaylord.
Authorities said-- on Friday, September 5 around 5 p.m., she left the designated base camp to search for water. When she did not return, the contest hosts launched their own search efforts.
They searched for about seven hours. After they could not find her, they called 911 around midnight.
Shortly before 11 a.m. on Saturday September 6; Michigan State Police in a helicopter found the missing woman "deep within a swampy area," sheriff's officials said.
Sheriff's officials said she was "missing in the cold and rain for almost 18 hours."
The helicopter crew assisted ground officers to her location. She was able to walk out on her own, and EMS evaluated her at the scene. She had no serious injuries.
Multiple agencies assisted Ostego County Sheriff's Office including: Starr Township Fire, Otsego County EMS & Rescue, Otsego Lake Township Fire Department, Charlton Township Fire Department, Michigan State Police, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan State Police Aviation Unit.