An 89-year-old hiker who had gone missing managed to survive for nearly 10 days in the Idaho wilderness thanks to his “will to survive,” authorities said.
“Bing Albaum has been located and returned home,” the Custer County Sheriff’s Office in central Idaho announced Aug. 11. “This is an unusual outcome for this case!”
The sheriff’s office previously said Albam was dropped off by a family member on Aug. 1 and left the Hunter Creek trailhead, intending to stay for only five days, but never made it to the trailhead in the McDonald Creek area. The trailhead is in the Salmon-Challis National Forest.
Olbam was reported missing on August 7. He left with only a five-day supply of food.
Hiker missing for 10 days found alive in Northern California mountains
Hiker Bing Olbum was found last weekend after being missing for more than a week. (Custer County Sheriff’s Office)
Olbam’s camp was discovered late on Saturday night, a local man on horseback found him at about 12.30am, and by 3am on Sunday he was at his home.
“Sheriff Levi Meidall thanks everyone in the incredible community who worked so hard to bring about this outcome,” the sheriff’s office said last Sunday, adding, “Bing’s will to survive led to an incredibly positive outcome to this case. We wish him a speedy recovery and the opportunity to enjoy time with his family and friends.”
Bing Olbum was hiking in Salmon-Challis National Forest. (H. Abernathy/Classic Stock/Getty Images)
“So happy with the outcome!! Hope you recover quickly!!” one person commented under the sheriff’s post, while another wrote, “I don’t know Bing but I’m impressed with his strength. He never gives up! So grateful his ordeal has a good ending,” and a third called it a “true miracle.”
Authorities said search and rescue teams were conducting a search and checking any traces he may have taken.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, the Salmon-Challis National Forest spans more than 4.3 million acres in east-central Idaho. The Hunter Creek Trailhead is located north of Boise.
“The trail follows the stream to the head of the canyon where the zigzag path becomes steeper and more challenging,” the guidebook trail description reads. U.S. Forest Service Check out their website: “At the summit, the trees disappear and Mount Ryan (11,714 feet) and Kent Peak are clearly visible.”
It’s not clear exactly how Olbum became lost on his hike.
Click here to get the FOX News app
After Olbam went missing, her daughter posted a photo of a map of Olbam’s trail on Facebook, saying she was worried he “might be injured or worse, and won’t be able to lay down a tarp to show to the helicopter.” After Olbam was found, her daughter posted an update saying he was “dehydrated but alive and doing well.”
