There are so many reasons to love hiking. Being at one with nature is incredibly calming, and inhaling the fresh air, achieving personal milestones and simply “getting away from it all” are just a few of the perks of heading out on a trail.
Solo hiking has seen an increase in popularity recently. Finding solitude can be healing and powerful, and having complete control over your trip is a major benefit.
But hiking alone doesn’t come without its risks. If you end up in a region with no cell signal, you’ll find yourself in a terrifying situation if you’re to injure yourself or fall ill.
Robert Ringo, a Californian man, knows just too well what this feels like. He was hiking in Joshua Tree Park when he stumbled and fell on rocky terrain, badly breaking his leg.
Having set out on his hike all alone, and with no cell signal, Robert could only call for help as loudly as possible. His leg was so painful that he couldn’t even sit up, let alone climb to the safety of his car, which was only metres away.
Speaking to CNN affiliate KESQ, he recalled the moment he realized he was in serious trouble:
“I started trying to at least turn over so I could get onto my back. And when I did, it was just unbelievable pain.”
Robert had sent his son his location before setting off on his hike, without realizing that the lack of signal had prevented his message from being received. After his shouts brought no one to his rescue, he turned his camera on himself.
In his hours spent lying under the 106-degree Californian sun, Robert attempted to make himself more comfortable. He filmed the canopy that he had made from a few sticks and his hat, which protected him from the worst of the sun.
He survived by eating juniper berries and drinking from his water supply, which was thankfully plentiful. But as the hours wore on, his supplies were running low.
In one of his videos, he says:
“It’s the first time in my life I’ve ever experienced no saliva.”
Robert began to think that nobody would see his camera footage, let alone find him in time. He had no way of knowing whether his family had started looking for him – though they had. It wasn’t until the next day, however, after 40 painstaking hours, that help finally arrived.
Speaking to Inside Edition about the moment he was rescued, Robert said:
“It was a miracle. 40 hours later, a helicopter’s here, I’m here. I couldn’t see his eyes, but I knew we’d met.”
Luckily, Robert is doing much better already. After being taken to the Desert Regional Medical Center by Joshua Tree Search and Rescue team, he had surgery on his leg and should make a full recovery.
He said that he was “extremely well, mentally, spiritually and emotionally” and that he was also “doing great” physically.
His experience hasn’t put him off exploring the wilderness on his own, and he plans to hike again after his broken leg heals. We’re sure his family will make him promise to send his location before losing cell signal next time!
You can watch the chilling footage of Robert yelling for help below.
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