Robert Schock, a 39-year-old ultrarunner, set out on a 32-kilometer run in North Cascades National Park on July 31, accompanied by his dog and a small backpack with limited supplies. However, he became disoriented and lost GPS service, leading him to become hopelessly lost in the vast wilderness.
For the next several weeks, Schock struggled to survive, taking shelter in abandoned bear nests, eating sour berries, and even consuming a large mushroom, unsure of its safety. Despite seeing helicopters and hearing chainsaws, his cries for help went unheard. Halfway through the ordeal, Schock collapsed on a riverbank, incapacitated by pain, hunger, and exhaustion.
On August 30, as Schock lay on the bank of the Chilliwack River, he mustered his last bit of energy and let out one final cry for help. This time, his call was heard by trail maintenance workers from the Pacific Northwest Trail Association (PNTA), who rushed to his aid and called for a helicopter. Schock was airlifted to the hospital, where he spent a month recovering and regaining the 50 pounds he had lost during his harrowing experience. Schock later expressed his deep gratitude to the PNTA crew, acknowledging that they had likely saved his life.
