89-Year-Old Hiker Found Safe After Nearly 10 Days Alone in Idaho Wilderness: 'Extraordinary Outcome'

Mar. 15, 2025

Bing Olbum.Photo:Custer County Sheriff Facebook

Custer County Sheriff Facebook

An elderly hiker survived nearly 10 days alone in the Idaho wilderness during a trip that was intended to last only half that time.

Olbum initially departed from the area’s Hunter Creek Trailhead on Aug. 1, and as of the morning of Aug. 7, officials revealed he had not made it to his intended exit point of Mcdonald Creek. The sheriff’s office initially shared the news onFacebook, noting that its search and rescue units were looking for Olbum.

Eventually, the office revealed in apost on Aug. 11that the hiker’s camp was discovered on Aug. 10 and that he was spotted the following morning, before being returned home at 3 a.m.

“Bing Olbum has been found and is home. It is an extraordinary outcome for this incident,” officials wrote on Facebook. “Sheriff Levi Maydole is thankful for the relentless efforts of our wonderful community in providing this outcome. Bing’s will to survive has resulted in an unbelievably good ending to this incident. We hope that his recovery is swift, and he will be enjoying time with his family and friends.”

Mountain range in the Salmon-Challis National Forest.Getty

Getty

“It was just a lot of… I can’t believe this. I didn’t want to lose my father that way, disappearing into the woods,” Jennifer said of their reunion. “No tears till I gave the first hug and then, you know, then we had to keep ourselves from killing him ourselves.”

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Bing Olbum.Custer County Sheriff Facebook

According to Custer County Search and Rescue Coordinator Lincoln Zollinger, who spoke withCNN, Olbum had packed a tent, a pad to sleep on and a blanket. For food, he left prepared with beef jerky, salted nuts and iodine tablets for water. Per the outlet, he had a compass and a map to navigate.

While in Salmon-Challis National Forest, Olbum dealt with temperatures ranging from the 40s at night to 90 degrees during the day time, per CNN. Zollinger told the outlet that Olbum did not make a fire during his time stranded in the wilderness.

“Just having so few supplies, five days worth of food, stretching it out that far is just amazing, in everybody’s eyes,” Zollinger told CNN. “We dealt a lot with the Air Force rescue, and even they were amazed at the outcome of this.”

“The biggest thing I see in him is his mindset,” he added, sharing that Olbum admitted he could’ve survived an additional three days in the wilderness. “And he said, ‘Well it was mostly my mind to keep going, to keep setting goals and keep moving forward.’ ”

source: people.com