A 72-year-old hiker, Mary Beth Granbery, was found alive on Sunday in a northern California forest after being reported missing for several days. Officials located Granbery at the bottom of a steep embankment with significant injuries sustained from a fall and exposure, according to the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office.
Granbery had departed for a multi-day camping trip on September 28 at Cabin Creek Trailhead in Shasta County, California. She was reported missing on Friday, October 2, when she did not return to work. A joint search and rescue operation was launched on Saturday by the Siskiyou and Shasta County Sheriff's Offices, with assistance from volunteers and the California Highway Patrol Air Operations.
Her camper van was located on Saturday at a nearby trailhead. Granbery was airlifted to a medical center for treatment and has since been reunited with her family. The Shasta County Search and Rescue Jeep Patrol noted that the search area presented challenges including steep terrain, creeks, debris, and downed trees.
Officials reminded the public to inform someone of their travel plans, including departure and expected return times, and to remain in place if lost to avoid expanding the search area.