An extraordinary tale of survival unfolded recently when 89-year-old Bing Olbum was found safe after going missing for nearly ten days in the Idaho wilderness.
This remarkable incident took place within the vast expanse of the Salmon-Challis National Forest, which covers approximately 4.3 million acres.
Olbum began his hike on August 1, intending to conclude his adventurous trip within five days but lost his way, with his last known location being the Hunter Creek Trailhead.
According to the Custer County Sheriff’s Office, Olbum was reported missing on August 7, prompting extensive search efforts.
Law enforcement and search and rescue teams began their search immediately, conducting both ground and aerial operations to locate the elder hiker.
Search teams utilized helicopter support from the Idaho National Guard and drones from Idaho National Laboratory to cover the mountainous regions Olbum might have traversed.
Despite these extensive efforts, for five days, rescuers found no trace of Olbum, raising concerns among his loved ones and the search teams.
On August 11, local volunteers began joining the search, driven by the close-knit community spirit of Custer County.
Among them was Olbum’s daughter, Jennifer, who took to social media, sharing her father’s trail map and asking for help.
“For two days, search and rescue have been unable to locate him, which tells me he is hurt or worse and unable to lay out a tarp for the choppers to see,” she wrote online.
Miraculously, it was local horseback riders who eventually found Olbum’s camp as they scoured the surrounding area.
The community’s determination paid off when they located him safely around 12:30 am on August 11.
Though he was dehydrated and showed signs of fatigue, Olbum was otherwise unharmed after his ordeal.
Upon his return, Sheriff Levi Maydole expressed gratitude for the community's support during the intense search efforts.
“Bing's will to survive has resulted in an unbelievably good ending to this incident. We hope his recovery is swift,” the sheriff stated.
Olbum’s survival is attributed to his sheer determination against all odds.
With minimal supplies, including beef jerky, salted nuts, and iodine tablets, he had managed to persevere through harrowing wilderness encounters.
“The odds of anybody surviving for such a prolonged period out there are very unlikely,” said Lincoln Zollinger, the Custer County Search and Rescue Coordinator.
According to Zollinger, many factors made Olbum’s survival all the more astonishing, particularly the lack of fire, heating, or extensive food supplies.
Remarkably, his resourcefulness and survival instinct allowed him to stretch those meager rations over the long ten-day period.
“Just having so few supplies and stretching them out for so long is just amazing,” Zollinger commented after interviewing Olbum post-rescue.
Despite the extreme temperatures—ranging from chilly 40s at night to scorching 90s during the day—Olbum kept moving, driven by his mental fortitude.
After being found, Olbum shared with rescuers how he felt capable of surviving for at least another three days, which took them by surprise.
“The biggest thing I see in him is his mindset. He kept setting goals and kept moving forward,” Zollinger remarked.
Olbum's story demonstrates the incredible capabilities of the human spirit when matched against nature's obstacles.
His family confirmed he is recovering at home, where he can enjoy some well-deserved time with his loved ones.
Sheer willpower, community coordination, and efficient search operations combined to create this uplifting conclusion to Olbum's harrowing adventure.
It's safe to say the hiker's remarkable feat has left many people inspired, with local residents and officials alike praising his tenacity to survive.
This survival story serves as both a cautionary tale and a celebration of resilience, reminding everyone of the unpredictability of wilderness adventures.
