Tiffany Slaton On Surviving Hiking Ordeal
Tiffany Slaton has spoken about surviving a weeks-long ordeal in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains after her solo camping trip took a turn for the worse.
Injured in a snow storm and stranded without most of her equipment, the Bermudian was left with only a lighter, knife, and a few snacks.
Slaton, who endured 13 snow storms, attempted to call 911 five times but could not connect.
Speaking at a press conference with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department just days after being discovered in an unlocked cabin, she said: “I ended up on this very long, arduous journey that I journaled to try and keep sane and eventually managed to get to civilization.
“The worst thing you can do in an emergency situation is panic.”
Full press conference
She survived by foraging and melting snow for water.
The 28-year-old was discovered in an unlocked cabin by Christopher Gutierrez, owner of Vermilion Valley Resort, just eight hours after she found shelter there.
“If he hadn’t come that day, I think they would have found my body there,” she said.
Two days earlier, authorities had called off a massive search that spanned over 600 square miles.
Sheriff John Zanoni said: “I would have never anticipated her in my wildest dreams being able to get back as far as she did.
A former competitive archer, Slaton credited her athleticism and wilderness skills.
“If he hadn’t come that day, they would’ve found my body there,” she said.
Her trip, which began in Oregon, was intended to end at Mono Hot Springs. She was last seen on CCTV on April 20 near Huntington Lake and reported missing by her parents, who live in Georgia, on April 29 after she failed to get in touch.
Upon her rescue, she embraced Gutierrez and said: “I really do have a new faith in humanity.”
Tiffany Slaton mentions Bermuda
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