Hiker Lost In Snowstorm Was Freezing In Tent When Found

A Pacific Crest Trail hiker who was lost and stuck in a snowstorm in Oregon was rescued by deputies after getting his desperate call for help.

Two deputies with the Marion County Sheriff’s department rescued Robert Campbell, 50, on Friday after they received his call. They found him freezing and curled up in his sleeping bag in a pit toilet, with parts of his feet and toenails turning blue.

“You thank your lucky stars. Not to be overly dramatic, because people have been through much worse, I’m sure, but I wouldn’t have survived another night. I’m convinced of that,” the rescued hiker told Salem Statesman Journal.

He was found at the Breitenbush Campground, as the search and rescue team found a fresh set of footprints that lead to him.

Campbell, who is from Philadelphia, set out on the famous Pacific Crest Trail near the Mexican border in early May. He had planned to trek all the way to the Canadian border, covering 2,650 miles in the process.

However, last week Campbell found himself in trouble after the falling snow had covered his trail. He went off track in the snowstorm and couldn’t find his way back even with the Guthook mobile app, that is designed for Pacific Crest Trail hikers.

Wet and without food, Campbell decided to call the emergency services as the situation began getting dire. However, he wasn’t able to convey his message properly as his mobile lost network.

"When I called 911 my call got disconnected,” he said. "I didn't even get my name out to the dispatcher."

However, the dispatchers were able to triangulate his location and Marion County Sheriff’s office sent out a search and rescue team looking out for him.

Campbell meanwhile decided to hole up at a pit toilet in the empty campground till the authorities found him.

“I really think I owe them my life because ... I couldn't have made it another night. My sleeping bag and tent are just completely soaked and probably ruined and I have no dry clothes,” The Associated Press quoted Campell as saying.

However, the brave man said he hadn’t given up on completing the hike yet.

"It's just one of those things if I quit I just don't think I'd ever go back so I'm going to try and finish, but I'm definitely going to be more cautious,” he said.

During the hike, Campbell also experienced the Ridgecrest earthquake and a wildfire.