A missing 70-year-old hiker who was miraculously found alive after being lost for five days in the scorching heat of the Sierra Nevada mountains has revealed how he managed to survive.
Warren Elliott disappeared last week after setting out on a hike from his campsite in Rubicon Springs.
The seasoned hiker took a wrong turn around 3 p.m. Friday and ended up getting lost as the mercury rose to 90 degrees F, drinking from the nearby river and eating berries to survive.
It was spotted by another hiker passing by California’s Hell Hole Reservoir on Wednesday morning.
Missing hiker Warren Elliott, 70, has miraculously been found alive after being lost for five days in the scorching heat of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Dramatic video shows the moment an exhausted and disheveled Elliott was reunited with his ecstatic family.
The elderly man is seen exiting a helicopter to cheers and applause before his beloved cowboy hat is returned to him.
Elliott was in the area rehabilitating the trail prior to the Jeepers Jamboree motorsports event.
Her disappearance sparked a massive manhunt involving up to 100 investigators from 10 agencies each day.
Blackhawk helicopters, all-terrain vehicles and canine units were deployed to assist in the search.
After being spotted, the beloved elderly man was flown to safety to the command post at Homewood Mountain Resort.
Elliott went missing last week after going for a hike from his campsite in Rubicon Springs, but has since been reunited with his family.
Her disappearance sparked a massive search with up to 100 searchers from 10 agencies out every day.
The seasoned hiker took a wrong turn around 3 p.m. Friday and ended up getting lost as the mercury rose to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
“From the point he was last seen near Cadillac Hill to the area where he was found, Hell Hole Reservoir, is approximately 9 miles as the crow flies; however, he walked much further than that over the five days,” the Placer County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
‘Mr Elliott was not injured and is in good spirits. This is a great relief to his family and friends.
‘A heartfelt thank you to all the search and rescue teams who tirelessly assisted from across the state.
“We are also immensely grateful to Jeepers Jamboree for their support and hospitality extended to our search teams. They provided us with food, drinks and a place to camp for the night.”