Lost Hiker Moved Into Cave, Lived off Gummy Bears, Flowers
Newsweek · C · trust 35/100
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. A Canadian hiker who vanished in the mountains above Squamish, British Columbia, survived five nights in the wilderness by sheltering in a cave, rationing gummy bears and eating wildflowers before eventually walking back to safety.
According to the British Columbia Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Stanislav Volo, 43, was reported overdue after failing to return from a hike on the challenging Mount Habrich Loop on August 30. He was last seen departing the Sea to Sky Gondola at 11:33 a.m. local time.
CBC News reported that, after a nearly weeklong search involving search-and- rescue teams, RCMP units, air support, police dogs and drone operations, Volo was found alive on September 4 after reaching the Indian Arm Forest Service Road under his own steam.
According to Volo, his ordeal began when his phone ran out of battery on the mountain, leaving him without navigation assistance.
"I basically relied too much on technology in this situation, and technology unfortunately sometimes fails," he told CBC after being discharged from hospital.
Volo had planned to hike the Mount Habrich Loop, a route in the Coast Mountains above Squamish known for steep and technical sections. Search officials had focused much of their operation in that area after Volo briefly connected with 911 on September 1 and reported that he was "stuck on the mountain" before the call dropped.
After losing his bearings, Volo heard what he believed was highway traffic and began descending toward the sound. He later realized the noise was coming from pipeline construction rather than a route back to civilization.
While attempting to descend, Volo slipped and fell into a drainage area, injuring his heel and wrist. The injuries left him unable to retrace his route back up the mountain.
"I guess I have no option but to keep going down and down, slowly but surely," he recalled.
Instead, he sought shelter and found a small cave near a waterfall, where he remained for several days while trying to recover and avoid the elements. Search officials later noted that he endured stormy conditions during the period he was missing.
"He was out in that storm. It must have been an absolutely horrendous experience for him," Squamish Search and Rescue search manager Tyler Duncan said, as per CBC News.
Volo initially relied on several packets of gummy bears he had brought on the hike. As his food supply dwindled, he supplemented it with edible wildflowers he found near his shelter.
"Maybe it's not that sweet right now if I try it, but back then it felt so sweet," he said.
Volo said the cave became a refuge where he could stay dry, rest his injured foot, and avoid further risk. "I have my little hut where I am hiding from the rain," he added.
Despite spotting search helicopters overhead, he was unable to attract attention. Eventually, he concluded that waiting for rescue was no longer his best option.
After several days, Volo slowly continued his descent despite his injuries. He eventually reached a river, then a road, where he encountered a construction worker who connected him with search crews already operating in the area.
Squamish Search and Rescue later announced that "Stanislav walked himself out and was located on the Indian Arm FSR," referring to the Indian Arm Forest Service Road.
Duncan described the outcome as extraordinary. "It's absolutely remarkable that he survived," he told CBC News.
Volo was transported to hospital with what authorities described as minor injuries before being reunited with family members.
Reflecting on the experience, Volo offered a warning to other hikers venturing into remote terrain.
"It can happen to anyone," he said. "You never know what is going to happen."
Newsweek has contacted Squamish Search and Rescue by email for comment.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Matthew Cannon and Cristina Diciu.
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