‘Absolute best outcome’: Hiker Sam Benastick found alive after missing for 50 days

The 20-year-old man survived harsh conditions after being lost for more than a month in the freezing wilderness of Canada’s northern Rocky Mountains.

A hiker has been found alive after 50 days lost in the freezing wilderness of Canada’s northern Rocky Mountains.

Sam Benastick was reported missing by his family on October 19, during what was intended to be a 10-day camping trip in Redfern-Keily Provincial Park, British Columbia.

A ground and air search by multiple rescue teams, the Canadian rangers, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and Mr Benastick’s family and friends ensued, though was officially called off by police.

Canadian authorities announced on Wednesday local time that more than a month later, the 20-year-old was spotted heading toward a path by two Redfern Lake trail employees.

The pair recognised Mr Benastick and took him to hospital, where authorities confirmed his identity.

Canadian hiker Sam Benastick has been found alive after 50 days missing. Picture: GoFundMe

“Finding Sam alive is the absolute best outcome,” RCMP spokesperson, Corporal Madonna Saunderson, said in a statement, noting his family was “thrilled”.

“After all the time he was missing, it was feared that this would not be the outcome.”

Police said they intend to gather more information about what happened to the hiker and why he remained missing for so long once Mr Benastick’s health has improved. He remains in hospital but is “doing well”, health care provider Northern Health said.

Mr Benastick told police he had stayed in his car for a few days before walking to a creek on a mountain side and camping for another 10 to 15 days.

He then moved into a valley and made camp in a dried-up creek.

Canadian broadcaster CBC News reported that when he was found, Mr Benastick was using two walking sticks to support himself and had cut his sleeping bag to wrap the fabric around his legs for warmth.

The 20-year-old had been camping in the wilderness of Canada’s northern Rocky Mountains. Picture: Destination Canada

The conditions Mr Benastick survived were extraordinarily harsh – according to The New York Times, the area is replete with “jagged mountains, fast-changing weather, forest valleys, glaciers, waterfalls and lakes”, avalanche warnings during winter, and “year-round” warnings of bears.

While he was missing, temperatures in the park at times dropped to -20 degrees.

“Those are very difficult conditions for really anyone to survive in, especially (with) limited supplies and equipment and food,” Prince George Search and Rescue search manager, Adam Hawkins, told the BBC.

“Even someone with a quite a bit of experience would find that challenging.”