In late November 2024, headlines around the world thrust a remote and sparsely populated area of the Northern Rockies into the spotlight. A young man was missing and conditions had become cold and wintery.
He was presumed dead by many. Until, to much delightful surprise, he emerged from the wilderness, weeks after his disappearance.
Of Particular Interest:
Link to Wikipedia Article on the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area
Wolves and Humans:
Timeline:
October 7: Sam sleeps in car at trailhead
October 8: Last communication with family
October 9: Leaves car and uses dirt bike to ride towards Redfern lake. Doesn't get all the way there. Sets up camp
October 10: Decides from the wet conditions to turn back for his car. Plans to set up camp as it gets too dark to carry on. Followed by wolf.
October 11: First full day of disorientation, realizes he can't get his bearings
October 17: Trip is set to end
October 18: His mom is worried and the family sets out to start the drive to go look for him.
October 19: They arrive, go to the trailhead and find his car. Spoke to some people who hadn’t seen him. He’s reported missing
[Alternate reporting: October 20, Dad and Brother arrive in Pink Mountain. Mom arrives October 21]
October 21: RCMP put out statement about Sam
October 28: Search called off
November 11: Sam's family goes home to Kamloops
November 26: Sam is found
November 29: Sam is out of hospital
Sources:
News Articles:
A Hiker Spent 50 Days in the Northern B.C. Wilderness. How He Survived Until His Unlikely Rescue Sparked Global Intrigue | The Globe and Mail
Hiker Who Survived 50 Days in Northeast B.C. Woods Released From Hospital | CBC News
RCMP Narrow Search for Missing Hiker, Seeking Public Assistance | Energetic City
In from the Cold - Inside the Massive Search for Sam Benastick and His Unlikely Rescue After 50 Days in the Northern B.C. Wilderness | The Globe and Mail
2 Separate Searches Launched for 2 Missing Men in Northeast B.C. | CBC News
RCMP Deploying ‘Extensive Resources’ to Find Hiker Who Failed to Return from B.C. Rockies Trip | Kelowna Now
Volunteers from Okanagan, Kamloops Come Home as Search for Missing Hiker ‘Paused’ | Kelowna Now
Search for Missing Redfern Keily Park Hiker Paused | Energetic CIty
Missing Hiker Found Alive After More Than Five Weeks in Wilderness | BBC
Other:
Redfern-Keily Provincial Park | Wikipedia
Redfern-Keily Park | BC Parks
Redfern Trail | Recreation Sites and Trails BC
Pink Mountain, British Columbia | Wikipedia
Muskwa-Kechika Management Area | Wikipedia
Redfern-Keily Provincial Park | BC Spaces for Nature
Are Wolves Dangerous to Humans | International Wolf Center
Do Wolves Pose a Danger to Humans? | Wild Ireland
Wolves and Human Safety | CSU
Youtube videos:
Missing Hiker Found Alive After More Than 5 Weeks in B.C. Backcountry | CBC News
B.C. Hiker Released From Hospital as Calls Come to Renew Search for 2nd Missing in Northeast | CBC British Columbia
Hiker Missing for 7 Weeks Found Safe in Canada’s Northern Rockies | Today
Missing Hiker Found After Surviving More Than a Month in Canada | ABC 7 Chicago
Weird - Hiker Survived 50 Days in Canadian Wilderness - Or Did He? | TheOutdoorGearReview
Hiker Vanished 10/17/2024 & A Hunter Vanished on the Same Day, BC Canada | Bryan’s Mysteries & Adventures on Trail
