Lost for 19 Days: Two Young New Zealand Hikers Shared how they Survived in the Wilderness

On May 9, 2020, 23-year-olds, Dion Reynolds and Jessica O'Connor, went camping in the woods at Anatori Valley in Kahurangi National Park, on the South Island. However, the experienced hikers failed to make their way home on May 14, their expected arrival date.

Daily Mail reports that the two were rescued by helicopter on Wednesday at about 12:50 P.M after an extensive search. During the operation, plenty of volunteers, a police dog squad, drones, and helicopters were used.

Reynolds, later on, revealed that they got lost because of thick and dense fog. It was not until a few days in that they noticed they were going in a loop. He said that if it weren't for his footprint on the ground, they would have never realized that they were 'going in circles.'

The hikers tried to remain calm even though they were running out of food and badly needed to find freshwater. As they made their way toward the waterfall on the seventh day, things got worse for the pair.

According to Reynolds, he twisted and sprained his ankle, which all the more prevented them from going downhill. A day later, O'Connor fell and injured her back. With both enduring stiffening injuries, they decided to stop and set up camp.

Their luck seemed to turn around as they managed to locate a fresh mossy stream that kept them hydrated until the rescuers found them. Reynolds said they spotted a search helicopter hovering within 50 meters of their location about a week ago.

Unfortunately, due to poor visibility and lack of light, the rescue chopper failed to spot them. This caused the pair to light a fire, hoping that the next set of rescuers would find them.

When another chopper came and finally spotted them, O'Connor went over the quarry and started waving at it. A few moments later, they saw a medic coming down from the chopper. It was at that moment, Reynolds recalled, that they knew they were saved.

On Wednesday night, the two celebrated their safe return home over some pizza with family and friends.

Also Read: Blind Man Rescued From Lions After Getting Lost on Hike

Hiking Survival Tips

One doesn't directly go into the woods unprepared. Several unsuspecting events could occur, and it's best to be prepared for anything. The Guardian shares some survival tips for hikers using the acronym "STOP."

To start, S means to stop. Moving faster out of desperation will only get you more adrift. When lost or in trouble, experts advise that you keep calm, sit down and eat or drink.

Next comes T, which stands for think. Ask yourself some basic questions. Answers might become apparent once you brainstorm about what you need to do. Think about which direction you need to go and any landmarks you might recognize.

O means observe. Having a keen eye might just save your life. Do you see any sources of food or water? Do any of the landmarks seem familiar to you? Get your camera out and review the pictures. They might give you clues on the trails or paths you've been on before.

Lastly, P means plan. Don't act without planning ahead. Mapping out situations in your mind before they happen could save you. Consider every possibility that you might encounter during your time in the woods.

Does Hiking Have Health Benefits?

As a matter of fact, it does. That is, according to Dr. Aaron L. Baggish, an associate director of the Cardiovascular Performance Program at the Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.

He says that a refined thing about hiking is that it exists in different forms, from a gentle walk on a flat path to vigorous mountain climbing. Nearly everyone, regardless of athletic ability or age, can find a hike that offers just the right amount of personal challenge. Moreover, hiking also provides some physical and mental benefits, Baggish adds.

According to Baggish, hiking is an excellent way to improve cardiovascular fitness, especially if the hiking route includes some hills. Walking uphill would force your heart to work harder, he says.

Furthermore, another benefit of hiking may be the relaxing and stress-relieving powers of being immersed in nature. A number of small studies claim that spending time in green spaces such as woodlands and nature preserves could ease people's stress levels.