Gerrard Kaonga
A 70-year-old hiker who was lost in the Sierra Nevada wilderness for five days has explained how he managed to survive against the odds.
Warren Elliott’s family likely began fearing for the worst as time went on without word from the 70-year-old man after he'd headed out for a hike and never returned.
Elliott went missing on Friday July 19 after going for a walk on the Rubicon Trail in the Sierra Nevada wilderness.
Thankfully he was found five days later on Wednesday July 24 after local authorities received a text message from a fellow hiker saying they were with Elliott.
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Moving footage shows the emotional moment Elliott was reunited with his family:
“A CHP helicopter picked him up and transported him back to the command post at Homewood Mountain Resort. Mr. Elliott was greeted by cheers and clapping and was then reunited with his family, which was an emotional moment for everyone,” an update from the Placer County Sheriff's Office on Facebook.
When Elliott was reunited with his family he broke down in tears, still wearing his tattered clothes, and embracing them all with a hug.
Authorities have also said that after being found Elliott explained how he managed to get so lost and how he was able to survive.
He went for a walk in an area he was familiar with but when he attempted to get back to where he was camping, he ‘began walking in the wrong direction’.
To survive, the 70-year-old was lucky enough to find a river he could drink from as well as some edible berries.
The Placer County Sheriff’s Office update also stated: “Each day there were between 50 and 100 searchers, representing 10 agencies from across the state, we want to thank everyone who assisted.”
It also concluded that Elliott was in good spirits. Which makes sense considering just how different things could have turned out.
El Dorado County's official website described the the Rubicon Trail as 22 miles from Georgetown to Lake Tahoe and has elevations ranging from approximately 5,400 to over 7,000 feet.
The website also states that the trail is considered the ‘crown jewel of all off-highway trails’.
The trail has previously been deemed to be ‘the most difficult, rated 10 on a scale of one to 10, due to its narrow passages, rocky climbs, and occasional mud hole.’