Hiker, 20, Found Alive in Freezing Canadian Wilderness After Disappearing for Over 5 Weeks: 'Kind of Unbelievable'

Sam Benastick was found by two men who were in the area for work, police said

A 20-year-old hiker has been found alive after being reported missing in October.

On Tuesday, Nov. 26, Sam Benastick was located near the Redfern Lake trail in British Columbia, Canada after being reported missing on Oct. 19, according to Northern Rockies Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The hiker was found by two men who were in the area for work, police said.

Authorities added that the two workers "took Sam to the hospital where police attended and confirmed the man to be the man reported missing"

Benastick told officials that he stayed in his car for "a couple of days" before walking to a creek where he camped for 10-15 days. He then "moved down the valley" where he made shelter in a dried creek bed.

Cpl. Madonna Saunderson from RCMP said "finding Sam alive is the absolute best outcome. After all the time he was missing, it was feared that this was would not be the outcome."

Officials say Benastick is currently being treated at the hospital at Fort Nelson.

Benastick had two walking sticks and a cut-up sleeping bag around his legs when he was found, CBC News reported.

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The hiker had reportedly set out for a 10-day camping trip, but was in the wild for 50 days.

"It's kind of unbelievable," Benastick’s uncle Al told the outlet. "Imagine being out there, being that cold, for that long."

According to The Guardian, the hiker set out on his camping trip on Oct. 7 and was reported missing by his family on Oct. 17 when he did not return home. The outlet reported that he was suffering from frostbite and smoke inhalation from when his makeshift shelter caught fire.

The location of the camping trip is remote and known for its "lush alpine meadows, forested valley bottoms, serrated peaks, glaciers, waterfalls and large valley lakes dominate this mountainous landscape," per its website.

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The park warns visitors of severe weather conditions, lack of access to potable water as well as grizzly and black bear encounters.

Local search and volunteer Adam Hawkins told CBC News that the area had been facing "incredibly challenging winter conditions" lately, with over 5 inches of snow and temperatures below negative 4 degrees.

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According to the report, over 120 volunteers participated in the search, in addition to RCMP canine units and aerial support. However, the official search effort was called off by police on Oct. 28 after they were unable to locate Benastick.

The family had created a GoFundMe page to support the private search for Benastick.

"I am hoping to raise money for our family to support the volunteers who are actively searching on ground and in air," the organizer said. "This money would go towards hotel, campsites, fuel, and food for the crew and volunteers, any money left over will be donated to search and rescue."