'He may have had 48 hours to live': 89-year-old man found in forest after 10 days of hiking

On August 6, 2024, an 89-year-old seasoned hiker went missing on the Hunter Creek Trail in Idaho, United States. He had set out on the first of the month for a five-day hike and was found safe and sound on August 10.

He had planned for five days of rations, he should have planned for double that. On August 10, 2024, Bing Olbum, an 89-year-old man, was found after 10 days alone in the Salmon-Challis National Forest in the United States. He was originally supposed to leave for five days, but after the sixth, his family became concerned and reported him missing to the Custer County Sheriff's Office, reveals RTL info.

His daughter testifies

The nonagenarian's daughter, Jennifer told reporters at Local News 8, that her father had been hiking for nearly 30 years. He reportedly left his family a map of his hike and was due back Monday, August 5. “IHe specifically told me that if I wasn't home by Tuesday, I might start to worry“, she added.

When he didn't return, she decided to report Bing missing to the Custer County Sheriff's Office the next day. He explains to her that if the man is not found after five days, the search will stop, such is their protocol.

Found in extremis

On the morning of Saturday, August 10, local hikers contacted Jennifer, explaining that they had planned what it would take to go and look for him for 3 to 5 days. Jennifer, a doctor, told the American newspaper: “I thought that knowing my father, he had maybe 48 hours left to live”.

In the evening, the hikers found some of her father's belongings. He had left some along his route so that he could be found more easily. “They found him halfway along the side of the trail, on a sleeping bag”, his daughter rejoices. The missing 89-year-old man was able to return home, after surviving 10 days alone in the forest.