KEY POINTS

  • Five Italian hikers were rescued by the Alaska State Troopers while making their way back from the "Into the Wild" bus
  • They were found 13 miles from the Stampede Trail trailhead
  • One of the hikers suffered frostbite to his feet

Five Italian hikers were rescued on the infamous Stampede Trail in Alaska after the tourists visited the abandoned bus made famous by the “Into the Wild” book and movie.

The hikers were rescued Saturday from their set-up camp after they visited the iconic landmark. They were found 13 miles from the trailhead, Alaska State Trooper spokesman Tim DeSpain told NBC News.

Rescuers were notified by the hikers by using a satellite-based emergency device that sent a distress signal to the International Emergency Response Coordination Center, informing them of a medical emergency.

Alaska
On March 30, 1867, the territory of Alaska was officially purchased by the United States from Russia. Above, the Tsirku River winds through forest as seen in an aerial view near Haines, in southwestern Alaska, Oct. 7, 2014. Reuters/Bob Strong

The group then alerted the AST, who spearheaded the search alongside Tri-Valley Fire Department.

One of the hikers, who suffered frostbite to his feet, was treated and transported to Fairbanks, said CNN.

The other four hikers on the other hand were picked up by their friends in Healy.

Tri-Valley Fire Chief Brad Randall believed that the hikers were in the area “at least overnight” and had to endure temperatures dropping to 5-10 degrees early Saturday, added the Anchorage Daily News.

The “Magic Bus” has been on every hiker's bucket-list ever since Jon Krakauer published his book in 1996 and was later adopted into a movie in 2007. However, some of those who have attempted to reenact Christopher McCandless' journey has died.

In July 2019, a newlywed woman from Belarus died after being swept by the strong current of the Teklanika River. A Swedish woman also lost her life while attempting to cross the river in 2010.

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