A 27-year-old woman from Georgia has been found alive after spending over three weeks lost in the snow-covered wilderness of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Tiffany Slaton set out on a solo camping trip in late April but was reported missing on April 29 when she failed to return. Battling freezing temperatures and scarce resources, Slaton survived 23 days alone by foraging for wild leeks and melting snow for drinking water.
Her ordeal came to an end when Christopher Gutierrez, the owner of a seasonal resort, arrived to open his property for the summer and discovered her inside one of his unlocked cabins. Gutierrez regularly keeps several of his cabins accessible during the off-season in case of emergencies—a decision that ultimately saved Slaton’s life.
Though dehydrated and exhausted, Slaton was found in stable condition and quickly transported for medical evaluation. Her survival has been described as nothing short of remarkable, with authorities crediting her outdoor experience, mental strength, and the life-saving availability of shelter.
The incident highlights the critical role of emergency preparedness in remote areas and the powerful impact of community-minded practices in protecting lives.