After being reported missing for over five weeks, Sam Benastick, a 20-year-old hiker from Kamloops, B.C., has been found alive. His family confirmed his safe return after extensive searches had begun early October when he failed to come back from his trip to Redfern-Keily Provincial Park, around 250 kilometers northwest of Fort St. John.
Benastick disappeared on October 17 after setting out on what was initially meant to be a ten-day camping expedition beginning on the 7th of October. His family became alarmed when he didn’t return home as expected, which led to the frantic searches carried out for his rescue.
With overnight temperatures dropping to below -20 degrees Celsius, fears about his survival grew as the days stretched on without news. Mike Reid, general manager of the Buffalo Inn in Pink Mountain, offered everything he could to Benastick’s family as they awaited updates during the search. He provided them shelter for over twenty days, often engaging with them and sharing their anxiety and hope.
On October 30, official searches had to be called off, marking the moment when Benastick’s mother, Sandra Crocker, expressed her despair on social media. “Endless volunteers” had combed through the Redfern Trail and the surrounding wilderness, but efforts seemed futile with little sign of the missing young man. They started to lose hope but remained determined to seek traces of him.
It wasn't until early November, after repeated frustrations, when workers grading around oil and gas sites stumbled upon Benastick. They saw him walking along the road, appearing weak but determined. Reid shared with CBC News the emotional moment when he received the call from Benastick's father confirming the news. ``Right now, I... it’s amazing. I’ve got three kids myself, and for him to find his son, it’s just amazing,” he recalled emotionally.
The circumstances of Benastick’s survival during those five long weeks remain unclear. Reportedly, he had been resourceful, managing to cut his sleeping bag and wrap it around his legs to keep warm. He was shown to be weak but alive when rescuers found him.
The search and eventual rescue operation have raised numerous questions about the wilderness's challenges, especially for novice hikers. Crocker’s account culminated after days of uncertainty, illustrating the mental and emotional toll such experiences can take on families. How Benastick survived the harsh winter-like conditions, scavenging for food, and keeping sheltered remain mysteries to be uncovered.
Overall, the local community rallied around the family throughout this ordeal, showing solidarity and support. The series of events sparked conversations about safety and preparedness for those exploring the backcountry, particularly as the cold season arrives. With Benastick now hospitalized and awaiting his family, many can breathe a sigh of relief knowing he has been located.
This discovery hasn’t just reunited family and friends, but it has also reignited questions about the hike’s safety protocols moving forward. Benastick’s experience serves as both an unfortunate reminder of what can happen when adventuring alone and as encouragement for safety measures for those drawn to the allure of the vast wilderness, as well as community support mechanisms available for families facing similar situations.
