Yes! Best outcome! I got lost in the woods for 6 hrs. No cell service, a canopy of trees overhead, pouring rain so no sense of direction in black bear country and while there's never been a black bear incident where I live, if not for my trusty and loyal companion, a Labradoodle who never left my side, I'd have been a basket case by the time I found civilization.💓🐕💓
@@teresacorrigan3076 Is this your first rodeo that people can't talk to all aspects of the video until you've given everyone a heads up because you read the comments first? Shall we all just talk about the weather in the meantime?
Taking responsibility for her actions and for her non-actions plus her gratitude for those many who looked for her is the icing on the cake of Madeline’s survival.
Things that may surprise you: night fall in a canyon: finding yourself unable to see your hand in front of your face hardly an hour after sunset (bonus points: you hear water noises left and right...) Going off trail to pee...and turning back it all looks the same in all directions...not even a question how easy it is to get lost. NEVER go anywhere without a paper map and a compass (and some dry oatmeal)
I have hiked alone most of my life. Now in my 70s aside from popular trails in Colorado I am the only one on the trail. People my age? VERY rarely. If you hike 5 yo 10 miles a day you ARE going alone 90% of the time For all those who are waiting for someone to go with sitting in front of a computer screen...I hope you have come up with a form of exercise that is as effective to keep the pharma industry away from your needs Yes going alone out of shape and unprepared on difficult trails is likely something you will regret...at any age and a companion may save your life. I have spent a lifetime being "resourceful" and thinking things thru. 90% people in the US have metabolic syndrome=a sure way to wipe out your healthspan, that is 100% probability...good luck with that.
It's so easy to make mistakes in the backcountry, and no matter how minor, they can very quickly lead to a dangerous situation. I'm so glad Madeline and her dog survived!
How wholesomely humble to ask "Are you looking for me?" And, imagine the immense humbling it must've felt like to hear back "The whole world is looking for you!"
For real I would’ve immediately begged for help between strings of obscenities. She’s a savage. It’s like if they said they were just hikers she was just gonna continue on her way lol. She seems like a very good human.
She is cavalier, not humble. Is she giving thousands of dollars to the charity who flew her out? Anything to anyone? Has she become a rescue volunteer? Just say, "my mistake," and it all goes away, huh? Lots of people like this.
She owes her life to that DOG!!! How do you think she kept warm during those freezing nights!!! Cuddling a dog is better or just as good as an electric blanket!!! Also, the dog was her body guard, not much of one, but better than none at all. If anything, it would have warned her of impending danger!!! PLUS: HE kept her company, rather than her being completely alone, in which kept her spirits up and gave her a good reason to not give up hope and motivation to fight for not only her life, but her beloved pet as well. The DOG is a HERO!!! Gotta❤️🐶
Dogs attract bears. That was a stupid thing to do. I lived in and hiked that area for nearly 40 years. Had a friend attacked by a bear that his dog brought back to him. It ripped up Randy's leg pretty bad. The dog was no help....
As a 3rd generation Montanan that lives right by Essex, being lost in the Bob Marshall scares the crap out of me. It's like stepping back into a time before humans. I'm so glad she ended up being ok. Yeah, she made a bad decision but she survived and that is amazing all in itself. Also we are so lucky to have Two Bear Air here. They've been pivotal in many rescues.
I mean, what's the point of saying you are a "Montanan" if you are scared to leave the city? Just saying, I doubt you have any insights on the wild nature of Montana being that you say you are scared of it...
@@SometimesTurtle, I think you made a lot of ASSumptions about op from their comment. The only thing they mentioned being scared of is being lost in that specific wilderness area.
@@SometimesTurtle Essex is barely a small town, little line a city!! Essex is in the wilderness itself!! I grew up in Columbia Falls which had a population just over 4,600 people in the 70's, huge town compared to Essex!!
I know Maddie and she is a very capable and experienced backpacker and ourdoorswoman, if she hadn't been she might not have survived. Keeping calm in those situations is so important. I think we can get overconfident with our experience, and forget the simple things, taking safety for granted. She is one of the most down to earth, positive, thoughtful people I've met, very genuine and sincere with her humility and gratitude in all matters. ❤ Great lesson here thanks for sharing it.
I really liked this one Kyle. Not just for a happy ending but without overdoing it and just telling the story you illustrated an important point. It sounds like she put a lot of effort into a positive mindset. I've know of situations where things weren't that bad until panic set in. She didn't run blindly through the woods, was mindful of warning the bears, and actually tried to enjoy the beauty, It might not have ended well anyway but I'm glad it did.
Exactly--she did some things right and I think it's important to note that. I think of the Geraldine Largay case in Maine. She probably could have done some things differently to make herself known. In the end, it was bad luck.
@@nck4888 I just finished a 480 mile hike on the AT. I went alone and was unarmed. But I did stay aware of my surroundings, carried a tracker that gave my position every 10 minutes, and the AT never gets very wild where I was, lots of other hikers, road crossings, etc.
@@MsGhostofficial I have been hiking in the wilderness (PNW) for 30 years and have never gotten "lost". Disoriented? yes. Down the wrong turnoff? yes. Missed the switchback? yes. But map and compass always saved me. No rescue required. Hiking without a map and compass, or at least a compass is grossly irresponsible. If you don't have it, you don't leave the car. Period.
This story says a lot about the Bears. Lots of bears in the area, even along her foot trail, she was never harmed by them. I think the Dog was key in that too. She may have made some mistakes but she also took several wise actions within the situation. I am sure she was really happy when she actually found the trail back.
Thank God this one turned out ok. So many people assume that just because they're only going out for an hour, they don't need to bring any supplies, and then something like this happens. I had a scout leader who was a search and rescue volunteer and he required that we have some sort of pack that could stay on our person at all times that held basic survival gear. We could customize it as we saw fit, but everybody had to have 3 specific items, 2 XL black industrial trash bags, a ferro rod/striker and a signaling mirror. They take up minimal space and the weight is miniscule, but they're worth more than gold in a survival situation. To this day, I won't go into nature without it.
@india1422 The trash bag has multiple uses. It can be used as a tarp, a water collection tool, a poncho, a signaling flag, a ground cover, it's flammable even when wet, make shift shade, etc.. It's pretty much anything you can think of, and it takes up almost no space. As far as clothing goes, it depends on the environment. I live in Southeast Arizona, so unless we were going up into the mountains during winter, it was almost always jeans, thick, long sleeve shirt for protection from everything trying to poke you, thick boot socks and a good pair of high ankle hiking boots. There are a lot of loose rocks in the desert, so it's really easy to twist your ankle, so low top footwear isn't recommended.
I never blame people for making mistakes, that's just part of being human. How we deal with those mistakes - both in the moment and afterwards - is what really matters. In this regard, Madeline was exceptional. She showed tremendous fortitude during her ordeal, and even took the opportunity to think about her life and the impact she has on others. She kept going, even when negativity overwhelmed her. She took care of her dog. She did all she could to stay alive, and she ultimately she rescued herself when she found her way back into a trail, which is incredible after so many days in such harsh conditions. It's very clear that she fully understands the mistake she made, and takes responsibility for that. I also believe she was very aware if the effort others took to find her, and she didn't want to add to that by needing an airlift. All in all, she did amazingly. I can only hope to do as well as her if I find myself in dire circumstances due to my own error. I hope she is doing well ❤️
Thank you for your post, the first two sentences did have an impact. As far as Madeline her story can and what she went through should be an inspiration to all people. Even if not hiking and living everyday especially in today's world. I think today's thinking is that we cannot make mistakes and we are human and do. How we deal with it at the time and from thereafter is how we treat ourselves. Humans are really down and as Madeline and her mom they were happy with hope. I really believe she had someone looking over her to make sure she would find the trail once again. Your post made me look at it differently and I thank you. So, stay safe, warm, and blessings.
Not to mention she made it back to the trail by herself. Unfortunately she broke rule number one and kept following a trail without knowing where it was going. As soon as she realized it wasn't the original trail she should have back tracked to the point where she got turned around.
The only think about Madeline's story that is exceptional is how exceptionally stupid and irresponsible she was. Well, I guess that is two things. She headed into the wilderness with no map, no compass, got lost (surprise, surprise), put her dog at risk and then when people lost time and $$ from work to find her she was arrogant about it. There is nothing about Madeline's story that is admirable.
Two Bear Air Rescue is so awesome. Please support them. One of their missions I'm familiar with did not have such a happy ending and this happy ending makes me smile.
I got lost while in a place called Cherry Hill Park with two Bouviers. We had been there several times. The park leads way back into the woods. We got lost because I forgot about daylight savings time and we got caught in total darkness while we were far into the woods. Eventually I gave up trying to find a way out when we became aware of rustling noises on either side of us. Both dogs were so scared that they pressed themselves against my legs, so then all three of use were scared. Eventually I told one of the dogs, Thor, to go home and Apollo and I followed him out of the park and back on to the street. We were lost for probably an hour or so, I can't imagine being lost for days. This lady was lucky that she had her dog with her to keep her sane, and keep her company and to help keep her warm.
Annette, We live deep in the Alaskan bush. Id gone back to our new place & cabin under questionable circumstances. ( Very Light snow) A friend came looking just in case. ( Id gone in the dark) My friend told me he found our place by following the DOGS tracks. Lots of people tracks going everywhere at the trailhead.) He Said " I knew you probably found your way back but i KNEW the dog knew where she was going. Truth be told, i DID get lost. Told Sheeba " Go home" and she did & i followed her. Sheeba was a doberman/ Australian shepherd cross. Smartest dogs ive ever seen. I could write a book on the many times & ways she saved me, my amazing wife & our kids. Bears & wolves are common out here & shed grab the kids by their sleeves & drag them back to the cabin long before the bear or wolves showed up. Had 4 distinct body languages & barks. One specific for each threat. Low growl, Hackle up, tail tucked & ears back ment bear. Low pissed of growl, Hackle up, tail level & ears back was Wolf. Hackle up, ears back, tail level & barking loud was Moose & tail up wagging, no hackle, ears up, mild happy alert bark was people coming. She lived to be 18 years old. Fabulous dog every day of her very long life.
I would keep the story out of the media. I would be to embarrassed! Glad they are OK! But, all you need to do now days is do something stupid and your famous. Sad who we are becoming!
I understand the criticism for not having a gps, or a map, or an emergency button to push. But, I honestly think that she did the smartest thing above all those others and she told people where she would be hiking. They were able to find her because her uncle knew where to look. I've been dumb in the past, and at a much older age than 23, and went out for a quick 2-3 mile hike without any gps. I think we've all done it. But, letting someone know where we are going is extremely important.
💯You're right. That detail, more than anything, well, the uncle going out after her and getting his friends involved was pretty awesome too, most likely saved her life. And Yay to Two Bear Air!!!
Yes but don't tell the world. I saw a video on MrBallen's channel, raising awareness about personal safety when travelling into national parks only to scroll through the comments to see a woman thanking him for the good advice and then went on to give the name of the national park she was about to visit, along w/the name of the national park hotel she was staying at and for how many nights she'd booked...oh, and mentioned she'd be travelling alone w/her dog.🙄
@@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism No, because I'd never post my entire vacation itinerary so that every apex predator on YT knows where I'm travelling alone to. Especially when the video I'm posting under is raising awareness about just that subject matter. Not stopping you from doing it or anything, lol!
I never went hiking in the woods alone without telling anyone. Then again I was raising siblings at 12 so I had to grow up pretty quickly and then got to real work shortly after ...but these are fascinating stories of people with wayyy too much time to take risks for fun.
"She hiked herself into a LIFE or DEATH situation..... and paid dearly" Reading that, I fully expected to hear that she didn't make it out alive, and I'm so glad that wasn't the case! I watch a lot of true crime videos and they rarely have a happy ending, so this story was a refreshing change of pace. Thanks for that!🙌 I can't even begin to imagine how she must have felt when she saw the search helicopter, but then realized it didn't see her. I'm sure calling it a "roller coaster of emotions" would be the understatement of the century. To the people in the comment section who feel the need to point out all of her mistakes and poor choices, and calling her dumb, I doubt it's necessary. There's no need to beat her up; I'm sure she has beaten herself up plenty of times already. She has learned from her mistakes, and shares her story so others can learn from her mistakes as well.
Not sure how y’all feel ‘bout solo auotumobile excursions. Unless off-road is closer to civilization , like a small town, I stay close to relative and make a definite shared, plan. Shopping alone builds too much self assuredness. What did we learn from Madeline’s leaving car for a ‘quick’ jaunt from an automobile ?
@@_MjG_ To be clear, I thought she had died only after having read the title of the video. But like you said, once the video started it was clear that she had survived, and I found that to be a refreshing twist on stories like this. 👍 We need more happy endings!
Glad you're putting this cautionary story out there...hope it prevents others from getting themselves in trouble, or dead...from not being prepared in the wilderness. PEOPLE die all the time from day hikes that don't go as planned. A young woman who was hiking the white mnts. of N.H. was going to hike a a loop in a day, didn't show up at her pick up location. She didn't bring gear for the changing conditions. It was balmy when she started, but fridgid at higher elevations, she got off trail, got lost, got hypothermia, & succumbed quickly to the below zero temps. She was found dead on her 19th birthday. Never underestimate nature, weather, & the elements. BE PREPARED !! PACK FOR SURVIVAL !! THIS YOUNG WOMAN IN THE BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS JUST GOT LUCKY. ..
Really *_really_* glad she made it out alive and unharmed. It's stories like this that are a constant reminder to at the very least carry a day pack with emergency gear and preferably a PLB even on a "1 hour walk". Pocket knife, lighter, small torch (flashlight), Mylar survival blanket and/or SOL emergency bivvy bag, even a couple of large trash compactor bags, a few metres of braided bank line - all things that take up very little space, weigh next to nothing and could provide shelter, fire etc.
I carry red or orange smoke canisters (smoke "grenades") every time I'm going into a wooded area as well. Helicopters might not be able to see through the tree canopy but they will see smoke if in the vicinity.
This doesn't just happen to hikers. It happens to boaters, climbers and lots of people who start out for "just a coupe of hours". My friends call me paranoid, I have backup bags for everything. If you don't know the environment you're going into like the back of your hand you can miss something, like an overgrown or snow covered trail. A lot of women carry a purse everyday that weighs more than what you describe. It's a good idea. I'm glad she and her dog made it too. She even found something to eat which most wouldn't know how to do.
@@angelachouinard4581 We had a trail runner here (New Zealand) set out for a day's run, I'm not sure exactly what went wrong but he wound up lost with utterly nothing on him but his running clothes. Only survived because he found one of the "tramping huts" ("tramping" is a synonym for "hiking" over here) dotted around the ranges and was able to take shelter. A previous overnighter at the hut had left a mostly full jar of peanut butter behind (people often leave surplus food behind at the huts) and, of course, there was a water supply, so the runner was able to subsist on that until he was rescued. If he hadn't found the hut, who knows what would have happened.
These stories are a good reality check when it comes to what legitimately could go wrong when out hiking. So much is glamorized these days; I feel people forget this can happen to anyone.
She kept her dog safe. While I bet the worry of keeping that Bub safe, with no "dog food", et al, was intense, I'd also bet Mogie was the one keeping things sane! Dang that dog is cute!
Men just imagine dogs are not dumb but just imagine the dog you feed every day for years You just cant feed him anymore and need to find soloution ALso the singing and whispering to notice animals nearby She did everything she needed to do My chiauau would try to eat all those bears unfortunely lmao
How many people would have crumbled after the first day? If no one knew she was lost in those woods she would have walked out and driven home with no help- that's pretty impressive in my opinion. I think that's the important takeaway from this story, and not just when lost in the woods. Determination and attitude count for a lot.
Preparedness and knowledge count more. Ever hear the Boy Scout motto? If she had a rudimentary toy compass this would not have happened. If she had a wrist watch with hands and knew how to use it this would not have happened. Madeline was stupid, irresponsible and arrogant.
After years of never losing a trail, it's easy to get complacent for short day hikes. Recently found myself off trail in the GSM with the wrong map for what I thought was going to be a
@@MsGhostofficial fire starter, whistle, visual location equipment. Bright colored balloons are great for this. They weigh nothing and you can carry a hundred of them easily. Use them to mark your route and put them high enough to be seen by air. I keep a roll of string and a little slingshot for this. Tape a rock or battery to the string and hoist up several balloons tied to the other end. Also, make sure that you take time to look back in the direction you come from often and note landmarks on your way in!
@@MsGhostofficial thanks for the compliment. I live on the edge of the kalmiopsis in Southern Oregon. I take my gear on every outing. I actually don't use a GPS, though I'd definitely recommend one. I use a map and compass just so I keep my navigation skills sharp. Plus electronics can be unreliable at times. I would also add that I keep a second set of the bare minimum in a leg rig just incase I am separated from my backpack. Maybe I will work out a short video for my load out. I never really thought anyone would be interested in it. Thanks for the suggestion.
@@MsGhostofficial I had a channel called mountain man moto that have a few videos of me just messing around but I ran over my phone and lost my password to it. lol never thought of doing survival/ hiking stuff. It is very beautiful here but also pretty dangerous.
And just having her dog with her made a big difference it's that feeling you are not completely alone and you aren't just trying to save your own life you are saving the life of your beloved pet❤
So thankful she and her dog survived! They may have kept each other from freezing and panicking. Wish they'd airlifted him out with her, though, but glad he's okay.
@@StamfordBridge as someone who's been in a terrifying emergency in the wilderness I definitely felt for her 😞 the relief that washes over you when you finally see or hear rescuers it's like nothing I've ever felt before.
She put her dog at risk unnecessarily. Good thing she doesn't have children. Do you think they would have survived five days without food? No filter for water?
I Googled "woman and dog", annnnnd apparently you woman love your dogs...alot...like a staggering amount of women, reeeeeeally really love their dogs......like...reeeeeally love them..alotttt..😢😢😢 🚀
I don’t judge her harshly at all. We’ve all done things and gotten lucky. I am glad she pulled through and probably has a better life for it. God bless.
Exactly. We’ve all done at least one thing where once you did it or once it was over you realized you made a mistake. It can be as simple as jumping in a pool excited to try a new dive and bellyflopping for the first time and as extreme as we saw in this case, it’s how we react and respond to those mistakes that make the difference
I've noticed that some women get wiser once they become mothers. I think there might be a field of information they are able to access after motherhood
@@Pelgram Those are the ones who havent been forced into catastrophic mineral deficiencies. I cant believe I have to point out poverty is a thing that affects some more than others
As someone that always watches these kind of stories ending pretty badly and sad, I honestly thank that this was a good and bright turn around. Ty Kyle.
Blame aside... I find her story incredibly inspiring. She was on the precipice of letting the darkness take her down and she fought back and persevered. She clearly felt guilt for her mistake and all of the time and effort but still, her first thought wasn't of herself. Humans need each other. I think this is a perfect example of why even in our darkest moments, in our most hopeless places we have to muster up whatever we have in us and fight back for this precious and wonderful gift we have of existing in this marvelous universe.
This man is a seriously great story teller. Thank you for the story of Madeline's unexpected adventure and survival. She is an amazing young woman and makes me proud of our upcoming generation. Well done.
Did he make it longer than needed? Maybe. Some of the middle was fluffed up, I guess. But I loved how he told us about the ending. And also her "home church" (or parents home church). Thank you mr story-teller.
This is why you never enter griz country alone, tell someone else not with you, where your going, and don't assumed and guess a trail loops. If you don't know it does for a fact, walk out the way you walked in. No need for 10 essentials to walk a couple miles in the woods to take a swim.
This comment should have a thousand likes. The fact that it doesn't speaks volumes about our current society. Nobody wants to take personal responsibility for anything.
@@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism You should always have a compass when you go into the woods. At a minimum, a watch with analog hands and know how to use it with the Sun to get your bearings. It is clear from this story she had neither.
I like hearing a story with a happy ending! Even though she made mistakes, she managed to do some important things right too. She kept her spirits up, managed to find her own way back to the trail, and knew which plants to eat and where to get clean water. She is very lucky to be alive! I'm very glad her dog survived too and that they could keep each other warm.
Yes to survival stories! And thank goodness she and her pup were OK in the end. Skill and hardiness combined with the best luck you could hope for in that situation
These are the most positive comments I’ve ever seen under a RUclips video. I’m not sure if it’s the dog being featured in the story or your own positive attitude drawing in like minded people or the happy ending to this story that did it but RUclips should study this because most comment sections devolve into anarchy and threats of committing war crimes on one another
I kept waiting for “….and then they found her body in 6 ft of snow.” I’m so glad it didn’t turn out that way this time. Using an experience like this as a learning tool is both beneficial and uplifting for everyone. Thanks so much for this one that didn’t end with a dead hiker in an isolated outhouse.
Congrats on your 150K, Kyle! Wow, so glad this ended happily. Compass, map, GPS, and at least minimum gear and supplies, is my takeaway - even on just a short walk in nature. I hope Madeline is doing well these days.
Every person makes mistakes, and a simple mistake shouldn't be held against anybody. Madeline is an amazing person for staying so positive in a terrifying situation. I've been hiking close to populated areas, and gotten disoriented, and even when you know you're not too far out, it's really intimidating. She's an inspiration!
Holy geez she was lucky to survive that! 7 days in the snow with no food or gear? Yeah, I get that shed feel like an idiot for getting lost in the first place, but she survived! She should also feel just a bit like Wonder Woman! 😉 Good story, Kyle. They can't all be doom and gloom. Happy endings happen too 😊
I remember hearing this. She must have had a guardian Angel watching over her, because it sounded like a grizzly was nearby and watching her. Eventually she could have been dinner. Fortunately she was just a kid with positive attitude which made all of the difference. Thankfully it ended well. So many people moving here are not having good endings, because they’re totally unprepared. Carry a GPS tracker and bear spray.
She should feel like an idiot. Went into the woods without a compass? Didn't know how to use the hands on a watch and the Sun to get her bearings? Didn't take a bearing when she left her car? Made dozens of people miss work and family to look for her? Put her dog at risk unnecessarily? So many mistakes here (and she is an experienced outdoors man?) it is unbelievable.
Being an avid hiker myself this terrifies me. Bears terrify me. I'm happy her and her furbaby made it out alive. She's human and we all make mistakes. Nobody on this planet is perfect. Lesson learned and she owned up to it.
Wait a minute...this lady went hiking on her own without equiptment in bear country without gear and took a nap in the wilderness before she got lost? Is this a death wish? Not judging her but what is she thingking?
Grizzly bears have zero qualms about ripping off a person’s head. Grizzlies are doing well in Montana and they are proliferating. Check out the story about the poor lady in Ovando.
@@SilverGrizzly Just one reason I don't go hiking, camping, etc. without being armed. Most backpackers seem to be city folk, hippie types, especially the ultra lighters, so they talk a lot of shit about me having a gun or carrying the weight. But country folk seem to have more respect and common sense in the wilderness than they do.
@@SilverGrizzly god, yes, aren't they vicious they do not care if you are screaming, whilst they tear you apart . Did you hear about the so-called bear whisperer who went camping in alaska with his girlfriend who didn't like bears and they were both torn to shreds , I mean they were in the middle of a company of bears if that's their collective noun !! In the middle of hungry season when the bears are fattening up for winter . Total madness !!
Thank you for this video! As an avid hiker, forager of California, Oregon & Washington, I so appreciate the happy ending. I have actually gotten lost in an area in Oregon that I knew well! This was during a Porcini hunt, dropped my Walkie Talkie scaling over a ridge of fallen trees. I was only lost for about 5 hours, until I made a decision not to find my trail, but to hike out where I assumed there was a road. Came out about 5 miles from my trail head, but was no longer lost. In Gasquet California this winter, an unfortunate loss of life occurred for a family from Washington, mushroom hunting. I watched the search above my home, locals were not allowed to participate unless we were part of the search and rescue. I saw the helicopter bring in the adult daughter, the dog was rescued, the Father had found his way out and reported his missing daughter, wife, and dog. Unfortunately, the Mother was finally found under a log. Our weather had turned very cold, unfortunately. Most of us felt she could have made it through the first 3 nights, but after that, hypothermia would have taken its toll. Very saddened by the loss of a fellow forager.
Omg I’m so glad this didn’t end the way I was afraid it would. As someone who hikes regularly with my dog, I’m way more scared of something happening to him than me
Same. Lots of people want protective dogs but I love cowardly ones. I couldn’t imagine either my boys trying to save me. Had an old girl who would try and it hurt worse seeing than getting beat.
Dumb rarely meets luck with favorable results. This was one of those rare meetings. Wishing Madeline happiness on her future endeavors and many opportunities to speak publicly on this topic. She (and you, Kyle) are a gift to the outdoor community. BIG👍
Wow! She’s a better woman than me, mistakes and all. So glad this had a happy ending. I strongly believe that having her dog with her made a big difference in many ways.😊
I just did a curtailed solo overnight hike into the "Pemi" Wilderness near Owl's Head Mountain in the Whites of NH. I got home to Providence last night. In preparation, I got a new Gaia subscription and brought a high-quality paper map. I checked the message board at the trailhead parking for trail updates. I spoke with a park ranger who warned me that some sections of the loop I had planned to hike were flooded out with raging melt water. He recommended a different route, with wild camping at Black Pond, then continuing on to the mountain the next day. That trail to Black Pond was rarely marked. I got lost in a boggy section on the first day. The satellite navigation righted me. I got lost again on the second day, accidentally losing the trail by following an animal trail to a bog. Again, the sat-nav led me back to the trail (though it was glitchy). I planned to hike Owl's Head Mountain on that second day, but as I climbed the trail toward the mountain's approach trail I encountered more and more ice-pack on the trails, and I had not brought my microspikes. I was turning my ankles, slipping and sliding for a good hour. The hiking was so difficult that I turned back two-thirds of the way and decided to cancel the remaining two nights I planned on the trail. Without spikes, it was pointless. And I had no intention to hike where I needed spikes. I chose taking a different route back to my car on the Lincoln Brook Trail, but it was completely unmarked, overgrown and was basically bushwhacking...and exhausting. So after hiking that for an hour I turned around and backtracked to the trail I took on the first day. Again, the sat-nav returned me to the navigable trail, back to Black Pond on my way to my car. It was my first trip in over a year, having suffered a serious work injury last March and spending most of the past year on the couch. So I was not in my best shape, and as I was hiking in the Whites in April, I was hauling a 41-pound winter pack. In all, I must have lost the trails a half-dozen times. Without sat-nav, a compass and a paper map - and without having talked to the ranger - I could have ended up as a feature in Reader's Digest. Someone just told me that 20+ hikers died in the White Mountains over the past year. (I have not verified that.) It is not an area to underestimate. You must know your limits and hike according to your gear. You must be willing to quit a trip. And you must be prepared for what could go awry. Even on short day hikes, I always carry a small pack with survival gear, a compass, maps and food. You never know what will happen out there. Good for this woman not quitting. Regarding bears, I saw fresh claw marks and fresh bear prints in mud and snow on that second morning, just 100 feet from my campsite. About a half-mile along I found the biggest foot print. It was 10" long and 8" wide - massive! That is when I moved my bear spray from my hard-to-reach side pocket to my chest strap. I got the impression that the bear was not happy about my incursion into its territory and was letting me know with the claw marks. Safety never takes a holiday.
Glad she made it out alive. Self awareness is good and it's nice to see her own up to her stupidity. I'm sure other people will be saved by hearing this story.
I am so glad this story had a happy ending. This could have been a tragedy so easily. The fact that she survived for a week in some of the most inhospitable wilderness in the world is a testament to her courage and will to survive.
She’s a bad ass! She took responsibility but we all make mistakes some more severe than others. But more importantly, she survived with nothing and kept her head together the entire time! I’m sure Madeline and her pup were life savers to each other. Feel good ending ❤
@@Ronnie86753 right??? Like she just went out for an hour hike, maybe she shouldn't have but I'm sure plenty of other people did the same at the same time
How did she, "take responsibility" for anything? Seems to me like she abdicated responsibility: No map; No compass; did not know how to use her watch and the Sun to get a bearing; did not take a bearing when she left the car; put her dog at risk; put all the people looking for her at risk, etc. All I see is a person who is completely irresponsible.
YES. I loved the ending. First she finds the sign, confirming where she needed to go. Then she spots the search team. "Are you hikers?" They answer, "Are you Madeline Connelly." "Yes. Are you looking for me?" "The whole world is looking for you." WOW!! (and she wanted to hike out!!)
Great story. Everyone appreciates a happy ending (at least once in a while). I'm sure we all were especially relieved that this tale didn't end in tragedy, being that the lost party included a four-legged hiker.
I have been in so many search and rescue missions in the mountains. It is often so frustrating when you fail to find them alive, and when you realise the simple things they could have done that would have saved their lives. Please think and plan before you venture forth.
Very nice to have a story with a happy ending! :) And I do not blame her for getting lost. I think it is easy to get lost, especially, when you are not planning to go on a longer hike (where you take all the gear with you). She just underestimated, that you also can get lost so quickly, when just turning once to the wrong direction. I remember myself when looking for mushrooms... suddenly not knowing anymore in which direction to go - luckily this just was our home forest with lots of people walking...etc.. so no danger at all - and I quickly found the way back. But it was that experience - how really quickly you can lose orientation - even in a familiar place, when there are suddenly just "trees" around you!
Great story Kyle. It’s absolutely crucial to get this story out to the public as well as others like it. We are all vulnerable. Hopefully some of the companies that produce GPS devices will throw you a sponsorship. Good channel.
Always love a happy ending of course but being able to interview Maddy gives us some perspective on what the lost hikers who's stories didn't end were experiencing and their thought processes. I honestly think having her dog for a companion was instrumental to her survival
Wait a minute...this lady went hiking on her own without equiptment in bear country without gear and took a nap in the wilderness before she got lost? Is this a death wish? Not judging her but what is she thingking?
@@cfG21 No doubt she made a huge mistake. I'm not saying she didn't mess up, but her positive attitude and mental strength went a long way toward keeping her alive. Then afterward, she showed extreme gratitude toward her rescuers and had the humility to admit her mistake.
Life is not about not making mistakes.. but about persevering through the opposition! Well done Madeline, kept your head, and spirits and learned a tremendous lesson. And the divine in each of us had a chance to take center stage through selfless individuals engaged in finding her. That is what makes life worth living. It's not the mistakes we make, but how we rebound and become better.
WOW!!!! Amazing resilience and stamina, Maddie you’re a legend… You are without any doubt an outstanding young lady and deserve nothing but praise, admiration and respect You kept your fear in check which is an incredible feat considering the predicament you were in and most importantly you never gave up… You’re a shining example of true spirit and bravery in the face of adversity May all of us learn from your unfortunate experience and follow in your footsteps, if we should ever find ourselves in similar situations
Lot's of suspense. So happy that things turned out OK for her, her dog and all the rescuers, family and friends. The beauty of the environment must actually have been a reward. The positive thinking attitude is contributing as a life saver. By the way: well told!
I lost a childhood friend to a bear attack. She was training for a competition, went running with headphones on and missed the bear warnings for that area and sadly lost her life. So happy to see this had a happy ending!!
So glad she is okay. I got off trail in a state park and started to wander. My dog was with me. And started running back and forth in a straight line and I realized she was on the trail and showing me ‘hey here is the trail.’ She had been on the same trail three times before. I was amazed how quickly I had gotten turned around. It’s easy to do.
This is a great example of how having a positive attitude can influence the outcome of a potential disaster. Thank you to Madeline Connelly for sharing this with the rest of us as we can all learn from your experience. Happy trails and stay safe. Love from British Columbia.
Thank goodness she kept her head and didn't lose perspective on the whole situation. And she did admit she was wrong. Hard lesson learned and an excellent reminder to always bring a basic pack, just in case. Because you never know !
Glad she and her dog were found safe. Props to her taking responsibility for her actions and acknowledging the rescuers.
Yes! Best outcome! I got lost in the woods for 6 hrs. No cell service, a canopy of trees overhead, pouring rain so no sense of direction in black bear country and while there's never been a black bear incident where I live, if not for my trusty and loyal companion, a Labradoodle who never left my side, I'd have been a basket case by the time I found civilization.💓🐕💓
Spoiler
@@teresacorrigan3076 Is this your first rodeo that people can't talk to all aspects of the video until you've given everyone a heads up because you read the comments first? Shall we all just talk about the weather in the meantime?
@@isabellind1292 no. I actually ride extreme cowboy 🤠
@@teresacorrigan3076 I stand corrected. Is this your first extreme cowboying?
Taking responsibility for her actions and for her non-actions plus her gratitude for those many who looked for her is the icing on the cake of Madeline’s survival.
Things that may surprise you:
night fall in a canyon: finding yourself unable to see your hand in front of your face hardly an hour after sunset (bonus points: you hear water noises left and right...)
Going off trail to pee...and turning back it all looks the same in all directions...not even a question how easy it is to get lost.
NEVER go anywhere without a paper map and a compass (and some dry oatmeal)
@@martinep6293 …OR alone.
I have hiked alone most of my life. Now in my 70s aside from popular trails in Colorado I am the only one on the trail. People my age? VERY rarely.
If you hike 5 yo 10 miles a day you ARE going alone 90% of the time
For all those who are waiting for someone to go with sitting in front of a computer screen...I hope you have come up with a form of exercise that is as effective to keep the pharma industry away from your needs
Yes going alone out of shape and unprepared on difficult trails is likely something you will regret...at any age and a companion may save your life. I have spent a lifetime being "resourceful" and thinking things thru.
90% people in the US have metabolic syndrome=a sure way to wipe out your healthspan, that is 100% probability...good luck with that.
Exactly my feeling! She seems amazing and brave
@@martinep6293 What is a “healthspan”? 🤔
It's so easy to make mistakes in the backcountry, and no matter how minor, they can very quickly lead to a dangerous situation. I'm so glad Madeline and her dog survived!
*I'm GLad that Her Dog is Safe!!! & Oh Yeah, her too!!!*
-#cheers-- !-
How wholesomely humble to ask "Are you looking for me?"
And, imagine the immense humbling it must've felt like to hear back "The whole world is looking for you!"
More of an "I'm embarrassed" question like asking someone if your breath stinks.
@@m888ichaelr Nah. If you got lost in the wilderness for a week and finally came across another human being you'd probably pretty ecstatic too.
For real I would’ve immediately begged for help between strings of obscenities. She’s a savage. It’s like if they said they were just hikers she was just gonna continue on her way lol. She seems like a very good human.
Well, they knew her name without being told.. so that's why she asked that probably.
She is cavalier, not humble. Is she giving thousands of dollars to the charity who flew her out? Anything to anyone? Has she become a rescue volunteer? Just say, "my mistake," and it all goes away, huh? Lots of people like this.
She owes her life to that DOG!!! How do you think she kept warm during those freezing nights!!! Cuddling a dog is better or just as good as an electric blanket!!! Also, the dog was her body guard, not much of one, but better than none at all. If anything, it would have warned her of impending danger!!! PLUS: HE kept her company, rather than her being completely alone, in which kept her spirits up and gave her a good reason to not give up hope and motivation to fight for not only her life, but her beloved pet as well. The DOG is a HERO!!! Gotta❤️🐶
I hope the dog was recognized for his companionship & loyalty during this ordeal. What a good boy ❤🐾
Love a happy ending! Especially when it's a true story. Glad l ran across your videos, will be watching more. ❤
I wonder what there was for him to eat?
I literally don't even care about Madeline in this story, I am listening for THE DOG 😂
@@oneworldawakening theres a lot of body fat on most domesticated dogs and cats..and humans. Ketosis is cool
Dogs attract bears. That was a stupid thing to do.
I lived in and hiked that area for nearly 40 years. Had a friend attacked by a bear that his dog brought back to him.
It ripped up Randy's leg pretty bad. The dog was no help....
As a 3rd generation Montanan that lives right by Essex, being lost in the Bob Marshall scares the crap out of me. It's like stepping back into a time before humans. I'm so glad she ended up being ok. Yeah, she made a bad decision but she survived and that is amazing all in itself.
Also we are so lucky to have Two Bear Air here. They've been pivotal in many rescues.
Two Bear Air! Love that part of the story. Want to learn more about them. I bet they have SO MANY stories to tell!!!🤍
I mean, what's the point of saying you are a "Montanan" if you are scared to leave the city? Just saying, I doubt you have any insights on the wild nature of Montana being that you say you are scared of it...
@@SometimesTurtle, I think you made a lot of ASSumptions about op from their comment. The only thing they mentioned being scared of is being lost in that specific wilderness area.
@@SometimesTurtle Essex is barely a small town, little line a city!! Essex is in the wilderness itself!! I grew up in Columbia Falls which had a population just over 4,600 people in the 70's, huge town compared to Essex!!
Annie, I grew up in Columbia Falls back in the 70's, class of '79. God Bless, you are very lucky to be living the life there!
Yes to more stories with happy endings/people surviving!
will do!
I second this motion! I actually started to cry happy tears when the rescuer said 'the whole world is looking for you' 😭 I love the happy endings
@@KyleHatesHiking me too!!!
Yay and YES PLEASE to HAPPY ENDINGS!!!
Love happy endings !!
I know Maddie and she is a very capable and experienced backpacker and ourdoorswoman, if she hadn't been she might not have survived. Keeping calm in those situations is so important. I think we can get overconfident with our experience, and forget the simple things, taking safety for granted.
She is one of the most down to earth, positive, thoughtful people I've met, very genuine and sincere with her humility and gratitude in all matters. ❤ Great lesson here thanks for sharing it.
Thank you. Nice to humanise the person the story is about.
She must be a complete badass in the woods!! To survive a week with her dog in Grizzly country? She's a Mountain Goddess!
Did she pronounce her name incorrectly, like Kyle?
So glad she,s ok we need people like her
Glad you made it out Madeline!
It's amazing that both her and the dog were okay after so long.
So long? A person can go more than thirty days without eating anything at all.
@@mxblyxky
True… but they also managed to evade becoming prey to wildlife… a fate that became more likely as time passed.
Guardian angels bud. We all have them until our number is up.
It wasn't that long.
I really liked this one Kyle. Not just for a happy ending but without overdoing it and just telling the story you illustrated an important point. It sounds like she put a lot of effort into a positive mindset. I've know of situations where things weren't that bad until panic set in. She didn't run blindly through the woods, was mindful of warning the bears, and actually tried to enjoy the beauty, It might not have ended well anyway but I'm glad it did.
Exactly--she did some things right and I think it's important to note that. I think of the Geraldine Largay case in Maine. She probably could have done some things differently to make herself known. In the end, it was bad luck.
My new hiking goal: Not be featured on "Kyle Hates Hiking."
good goal!
It's a good one, however being on Trail Tales would be epic. 🖖
Don't go alone , unarmed and unaware of your surroundings and you should be fine.
@@nck4888 I just finished a 480 mile hike on the AT. I went alone and was unarmed. But I did stay aware of my surroundings, carried a tracker that gave my position every 10 minutes, and the AT never gets very wild where I was, lots of other hikers, road crossings, etc.
Hahaha im going on a 20k hike today and this comment resonates with me 😂
Good story. Man, I can relate to “just out for an hour”. No judgement on her. So happy she made it and had her dog for companionship and warmth.
Completely agree. Everyone gets lost at least a time or two in their life.
@@MsGhostofficial Yeah, but how many people almost deliberately get lost? Do you not have a brain?
Always bring your gear!
@@MsGhostofficial I have been hiking in the wilderness (PNW) for 30 years and have never gotten "lost". Disoriented? yes. Down the wrong turnoff? yes. Missed the switchback? yes. But map and compass always saved me. No rescue required. Hiking without a map and compass, or at least a compass is grossly irresponsible. If you don't have it, you don't leave the car. Period.
@@tedolphbundler724 Here here!!! I completely agree. Just lots of people don't have experience
This story says a lot about the Bears. Lots of bears in the area, even along her foot trail, she was never harmed by them. I think the Dog was key in that too. She may have made some mistakes but she also took several wise actions within the situation. I am sure she was really happy when she actually found the trail back.
Dogs do not deter grizzly bears. They can actually piss them off and cause an attack. 😕
Thank God this one turned out ok. So many people assume that just because they're only going out for an hour, they don't need to bring any supplies, and then something like this happens. I had a scout leader who was a search and rescue volunteer and he required that we have some sort of pack that could stay on our person at all times that held basic survival gear. We could customize it as we saw fit, but everybody had to have 3 specific items, 2 XL black industrial trash bags, a ferro rod/striker and a signaling mirror. They take up minimal space and the weight is miniscule, but they're worth more than gold in a survival situation. To this day, I won't go into nature without it.
What was the trash bag for? Is it big enough to climb into out of the rain? What were you to wear for insulation?
Thank goodness her uncle was proactive and did not just keep hoping she would turn up
@india1422 The trash bag has multiple uses. It can be used as a tarp, a water collection tool, a poncho, a signaling flag, a ground cover, it's flammable even when wet, make shift shade, etc.. It's pretty much anything you can think of, and it takes up almost no space. As far as clothing goes, it depends on the environment. I live in Southeast Arizona, so unless we were going up into the mountains during winter, it was almost always jeans, thick, long sleeve shirt for protection from everything trying to poke you, thick boot socks and a good pair of high ankle hiking boots. There are a lot of loose rocks in the desert, so it's really easy to twist your ankle, so low top footwear isn't recommended.
I never blame people for making mistakes, that's just part of being human.
How we deal with those mistakes - both in the moment and afterwards - is what really matters.
In this regard, Madeline was exceptional. She showed tremendous fortitude during her ordeal, and even took the opportunity to think about her life and the impact she has on others. She kept going, even when negativity overwhelmed her. She took care of her dog. She did all she could to stay alive, and she ultimately she rescued herself when she found her way back into a trail, which is incredible after so many days in such harsh conditions.
It's very clear that she fully understands the mistake she made, and takes responsibility for that. I also believe she was very aware if the effort others took to find her, and she didn't want to add to that by needing an airlift.
All in all, she did amazingly. I can only hope to do as well as her if I find myself in dire circumstances due to my own error.
I hope she is doing well ❤️
Thank you for your post, the first two sentences did have an impact. As far as Madeline her story can and what she went through should be an inspiration to all people. Even if not hiking and living everyday especially in today's world. I think today's thinking is that we cannot make mistakes and we are human and do. How we deal with it at the time and from thereafter is how we treat ourselves. Humans are really down and as Madeline and her mom they were happy with hope. I really believe she had someone looking over her to make sure she would find the trail once again. Your post made me look at it differently and I thank you. So, stay safe, warm, and blessings.
A positive attitude probably kept her alive.
Not to mention she made it back to the trail by herself. Unfortunately she broke rule number one and kept following a trail without knowing where it was going. As soon as she realized it wasn't the original trail she should have back tracked to the point where she got turned around.
Very well said. You are absolutely right. It's much more stupid to play up and pretend that you can't make mistakes yourself.
The only think about Madeline's story that is exceptional is how exceptionally stupid and irresponsible she was. Well, I guess that is two things. She headed into the wilderness with no map, no compass, got lost (surprise, surprise), put her dog at risk and then when people lost time and $$ from work to find her she was arrogant about it. There is nothing about Madeline's story that is admirable.
Two Bear Air Rescue is so awesome. Please support them. One of their missions I'm familiar with did not have such a happy ending and this happy ending makes me smile.
💯
Glad she and her dog made it out safely. I kept waiting for the story to take a terrible turn.
So glad she made it out. Search and rescue are heroes.
I got lost while in a place called Cherry Hill Park with two Bouviers. We had been there several times. The park leads way back into the woods. We got lost because I forgot about daylight savings time and we got caught in total darkness while we were far into the woods. Eventually I gave up trying to find a way out when we became aware of rustling noises on either side of us. Both dogs were so scared that they pressed themselves against my legs, so then all three of use were scared. Eventually I told one of the dogs, Thor, to go home and Apollo and I followed him out of the park and back on to the street. We were lost for probably an hour or so, I can't imagine being lost for days. This lady was lucky that she had her dog with her to keep her sane, and keep her company and to help keep her warm.
Annette, We live deep in the Alaskan bush. Id gone back to our new place & cabin under questionable circumstances. ( Very Light snow) A friend came looking just in case. ( Id gone in the dark) My friend told me he found our place by following the DOGS tracks. Lots of people tracks going everywhere at the trailhead.) He Said " I knew you probably found your way back but i KNEW the dog knew where she was going. Truth be told, i DID get lost. Told Sheeba " Go home" and she did & i followed her. Sheeba was a doberman/ Australian shepherd cross. Smartest dogs ive ever seen. I could write a book on the many times & ways she saved me, my amazing wife & our kids. Bears & wolves are common out here & shed grab the kids by their sleeves & drag them back to the cabin long before the bear or wolves showed up. Had 4 distinct body languages & barks. One specific for each threat. Low growl, Hackle up, tail tucked & ears back ment bear. Low pissed of growl, Hackle up, tail level & ears back was Wolf. Hackle up, ears back, tail level & barking loud was Moose & tail up wagging, no hackle, ears up, mild happy alert bark was people coming. She lived to be 18 years old. Fabulous dog every day of her very long life.
The whole family sounds amazing. How her mom could remain positive throughout had to have made a difference for everyone involved.
And the uncle going out and then getting his friends involved....
Mother's seem to know if their children are ok or not.. They gave birth to this being, it's just logical.
Mom’s just know, wouldn’t be surprised if her energy connected (mothers 🩸) with her daughter, and helped her keep going 🙌
So, the family compensated the county and all the individuals involved in the search including the helicopter company?
I think this story is a good example of "Have getting lost be the only stupid decision you make"
what?
"i am on the wrong path, i just follow it, it might be a loop and lead me back"?
She entered grizzly country alone. She didn't tell her uncle which trail she was taking. Getting lost was only her third stupid mistake.
@@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism on top of that decided to take a nap in the wilderness
I would keep the story out of the media. I would be to embarrassed!
Glad they are OK! But, all you need to do now days is do something stupid and your famous. Sad who we are becoming!
@@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism Fourth mistake: no map and compass.
I understand the criticism for not having a gps, or a map, or an emergency button to push. But, I honestly think that she did the smartest thing above all those others and she told people where she would be hiking. They were able to find her because her uncle knew where to look. I've been dumb in the past, and at a much older age than 23, and went out for a quick 2-3 mile hike without any gps. I think we've all done it. But, letting someone know where we are going is extremely important.
💯You're right. That detail, more than anything, well, the uncle going out after her and getting his friends involved was pretty awesome too, most likely saved her life. And Yay to Two Bear Air!!!
Yes but don't tell the world. I saw a video on MrBallen's channel, raising awareness about personal safety when travelling into national parks only to scroll through the comments to see a woman thanking him for the good advice and then went on to give the name of the national park she was about to visit, along w/the name of the national park hotel she was staying at and for how many nights she'd booked...oh, and mentioned she'd be travelling alone w/her dog.🙄
@@isabellind1292 Right because, you'd never find anyone else randomly doing the same at any other national park, or hotel on your own lol.
@@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism No, because I'd never post my entire vacation itinerary so that every apex predator on YT knows where I'm travelling alone to.
Especially when the video I'm posting under is raising awareness about just that subject matter.
Not stopping you from doing it or anything, lol!
I never went hiking in the woods alone without telling anyone. Then again I was raising siblings at 12 so I had to grow up pretty quickly and then got to real work shortly after ...but these are fascinating stories of people with wayyy too much time to take risks for fun.
"She hiked herself into a LIFE or DEATH situation..... and paid dearly" Reading that, I fully expected to hear that she didn't make it out alive, and I'm so glad that wasn't the case! I watch a lot of true crime videos and they rarely have a happy ending, so this story was a refreshing change of pace. Thanks for that!🙌
I can't even begin to imagine how she must have felt when she saw the search helicopter, but then realized it didn't see her. I'm sure calling it a "roller coaster of emotions" would be the understatement of the century.
To the people in the comment section who feel the need to point out all of her mistakes and poor choices, and calling her dumb, I doubt it's necessary. There's no need to beat her up; I'm sure she has beaten herself up plenty of times already. She has learned from her mistakes, and shares her story so others can learn from her mistakes as well.
Not sure how y’all feel ‘bout solo auotumobile excursions. Unless off-road is closer to civilization , like a small town, I stay close to relative and make a definite
shared, plan. Shopping alone builds too much self assuredness. What did we learn from Madeline’s leaving car for a ‘quick’ jaunt from an automobile ?
I mean, it's blatant clickbait - where did she 'pay dearly'?
It was so obvious she was going to survive from early in the video. Kyle dropped some of her quotes about her experience on the first night.
Well said! You are right. It's much more stupid to play up and pretend that you can't make mistakes yourself. This is dangerous also.
@@_MjG_ To be clear, I thought she had died only after having read the title of the video. But like you said, once the video started it was clear that she had survived, and I found that to be a refreshing twist on stories like this. 👍 We need more happy endings!
Glad you're putting this cautionary story out there...hope it prevents others from getting themselves in trouble, or dead...from not being prepared in the wilderness. PEOPLE die all the time from day hikes that don't go as planned. A young woman who was hiking the white mnts. of N.H. was going to hike a a loop in a day, didn't show up at her pick up location. She didn't bring gear for the changing conditions. It was balmy when she started, but fridgid at higher elevations, she got off trail, got lost, got hypothermia, & succumbed quickly to the below zero temps. She was found dead on her 19th birthday. Never underestimate nature, weather, & the elements. BE PREPARED !! PACK FOR SURVIVAL !! THIS YOUNG WOMAN IN THE BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS JUST GOT LUCKY. ..
Glad the dog was ok, his companionship probably kept her going.
Seriously!!! Being completely alone would have been...... tough on the brain.
It probably saved her from hypothermia as well
Thanks for the spoiler. I was not going to keep watching. A tragic end to a dog always upsets me more.
Right? I always scroll through the comments to make sure the dog was okay in stories like this.
Probably helped keep some of the big predators away, too. Good alert system, and the scent might make animals think twice on checking her out.
Really *_really_* glad she made it out alive and unharmed. It's stories like this that are a constant reminder to at the very least carry a day pack with emergency gear and preferably a PLB even on a "1 hour walk". Pocket knife, lighter, small torch (flashlight), Mylar survival blanket and/or SOL emergency bivvy bag, even a couple of large trash compactor bags, a few metres of braided bank line - all things that take up very little space, weigh next to nothing and could provide shelter, fire etc.
I carry red or orange smoke canisters (smoke "grenades") every time I'm going into a wooded area as well. Helicopters might not be able to see through the tree canopy but they will see smoke if in the vicinity.
@@keithangstadt4950 Great idea.
This doesn't just happen to hikers. It happens to boaters, climbers and lots of people who start out for "just a coupe of hours". My friends call me paranoid, I have backup bags for everything. If you don't know the environment you're going into like the back of your hand you can miss something, like an overgrown or snow covered trail. A lot of women carry a purse everyday that weighs more than what you describe. It's a good idea. I'm glad she and her dog made it too. She even found something to eat which most wouldn't know how to do.
@@angelachouinard4581 We had a trail runner here (New Zealand) set out for a day's run, I'm not sure exactly what went wrong but he wound up lost with utterly nothing on him but his running clothes. Only survived because he found one of the "tramping huts" ("tramping" is a synonym for "hiking" over here) dotted around the ranges and was able to take shelter. A previous overnighter at the hut had left a mostly full jar of peanut butter behind (people often leave surplus food behind at the huts) and, of course, there was a water supply, so the runner was able to subsist on that until he was rescued.
If he hadn't found the hut, who knows what would have happened.
Bingo! Finally someone in the Comments gets it!
These stories are a good reality check when it comes to what legitimately could go wrong when out hiking. So much is glamorized these days; I feel people forget this can happen to anyone.
Yup, I think many of us have done some seriously dumb things out in the woods. It can happen to any one of us.
Hiking is total adventure!!! It could be the trip of a lifetime or end of a life time.
Only to brainless drones...
Yes I got lost in the Cascades in Washington. I was only 11 years old.. But I found a creek on the valley floor and followed it back to civilization.
It can not happen to anyone who is responsible and at least minimally prepared.
She kept her dog safe. While I bet the worry of keeping that Bub safe, with no "dog food", et al, was intense, I'd also bet Mogie was the one keeping things sane! Dang that dog is cute!
Men just imagine dogs are not dumb but just imagine the dog you feed every day for years
You just cant feed him anymore and need to find soloution
ALso the singing and whispering to notice animals nearby
She did everything she needed to do
My chiauau would try to eat all those bears unfortunely lmao
I was wondering what the dog ate. It was a week?
Dog is a genetic freak.
So brave. I’m glad her and her dog had each other and are ok! ❤️
How many people would have crumbled after the first day? If no one knew she was lost in those woods she would have walked out and driven home with no help- that's pretty impressive in my opinion. I think that's the important takeaway from this story, and not just when lost in the woods. Determination and attitude count for a lot.
So true! Her attitude made all the difference
💯
It's true she actually did "hike out". She had gotten herself back on course
Preparedness and knowledge count more. Ever hear the Boy Scout motto? If she had a rudimentary toy compass this would not have happened. If she had a wrist watch with hands and knew how to use it this would not have happened. Madeline was stupid, irresponsible and arrogant.
After years of never losing a trail, it's easy to get complacent for short day hikes. Recently found myself off trail in the GSM with the wrong map for what I thought was going to be a
THANK GOD you made it out!!! Snacks. Flare Gun. Bear Mace. Flashlight. Did I forget anything?😬
@@MsGhostofficial fire starter, whistle, visual location equipment. Bright colored balloons are great for this. They weigh nothing and you can carry a hundred of them easily. Use them to mark your route and put them high enough to be seen by air. I keep a roll of string and a little slingshot for this. Tape a rock or battery to the string and hoist up several balloons tied to the other end. Also, make sure that you take time to look back in the direction you come from often and note landmarks on your way in!
@@patrickhenry8425 That is THE BEST hiking advice!!! You should do a YT episode on survival!!!
@@MsGhostofficial thanks for the compliment. I live on the edge of the kalmiopsis in Southern Oregon. I take my gear on every outing. I actually don't use a GPS, though I'd definitely recommend one. I use a map and compass just so I keep my navigation skills sharp. Plus electronics can be unreliable at times. I would also add that I keep a second set of the bare minimum in a leg rig just incase I am separated from my backpack. Maybe I will work out a short video for my load out. I never really thought anyone would be interested in it. Thanks for the suggestion.
@@MsGhostofficial I had a channel called mountain man moto that have a few videos of me just messing around but I ran over my phone and lost my password to it. lol never thought of doing survival/ hiking stuff. It is very beautiful here but also pretty dangerous.
A backpack for day hikes is always a good idea. Especially a bright colored one.
Personal Locator Beacon, fire arm, whistle in addition NEVER HIKE ALONE !!! - David Paulides / CAN AM Missing Project
The warmth of the dog, keeping each other warm, probably saved them both
And just having her dog with her made a big difference it's that feeling you are not completely alone and you aren't just trying to save your own life you are saving the life of your beloved pet❤
So thankful she and her dog survived! They may have kept each other from freezing and panicking. Wish they'd airlifted him out with her, though, but glad he's okay.
I couldn't help tearing up at the point where she saw the rescuers 😭 I'm so glad this story has a happy ending.
Same here. Felt that vicariously and burst into tears just imagining myself in that situation.
Get your estrogen levels checked. Everyone is so emotional these days.
@@carrow2250 yes, how dare people have feelings 🤣
@@StamfordBridge as someone who's been in a terrifying emergency in the wilderness I definitely felt for her 😞 the relief that washes over you when you finally see or hear rescuers it's like nothing I've ever felt before.
@@carrow2250 I’d rather be emotional than trapped in a stunted ten-year-old’s worldview. Good luck with that.
“The whole world is looking for you”
just wow, those words must have been overwhelming, crying happy tears for her
You should be embarrassed for her. What has happened to our society? I guess nobody expects anybody to be responsible anymore.
I'm so happy that she's ok.😊
Me too! It was nice to cover a story with a happy ending for a change
The Bob is out my back door. I always tell anyone who plans a hike, even a short one; never walk alone. I cried for this happy ending.
Thank God her and her dog were ok and nothing bad happened, they are very lucky to be alive!
It was probably that she kept her head about her and her attitude that saved her. Way to go Madeline!!! She also have a good and faithful dog!
No kidding! Incredible
She put her dog at risk unnecessarily. Good thing she doesn't have children. Do you think they would have survived five days without food? No filter for water?
@@LaurenRoerick Incredibly stupid and irresponsible.
I'm sure her dog was a great comfort to her.
I Googled "woman and dog", annnnnd apparently you woman love your dogs...alot...like a staggering amount of women, reeeeeeally really love their dogs......like...reeeeeally love them..alotttt..😢😢😢 🚀
Absolutely! I'd that dog is one of the reasons she made it out alive.
I don’t judge her harshly at all. We’ve all done things and gotten lucky. I am glad she pulled through and probably has a better life for it. God bless.
agree so much. thanks for watching
Plus she was only 23. Your brain isn't even fully developed at that age
Exactly. We’ve all done at least one thing where once you did it or once it was over you realized you made a mistake. It can be as simple as jumping in a pool excited to try a new dive and bellyflopping for the first time and as extreme as we saw in this case, it’s how we react and respond to those mistakes that make the difference
I've noticed that some women get wiser once they become mothers. I think there might be a field of information they are able to access after motherhood
@@Pelgram Those are the ones who havent been forced into catastrophic mineral deficiencies. I cant believe I have to point out poverty is a thing that affects some more than others
That is a grateful person, that Madeline. The key to happiness, no matter your situation.
As someone that always watches these kind of stories ending pretty badly and sad, I honestly thank that this was a good and bright turn around. Ty Kyle.
Blame aside... I find her story incredibly inspiring. She was on the precipice of letting the darkness take her down and she fought back and persevered. She clearly felt guilt for her mistake and all of the time and effort but still, her first thought wasn't of herself. Humans need each other. I think this is a perfect example of why even in our darkest moments, in our most hopeless places we have to muster up whatever we have in us and fight back for this precious and wonderful gift we have of existing in this marvelous universe.
This man is a seriously great story teller. Thank you for the story of Madeline's unexpected adventure and survival. She is an amazing young woman and makes me proud of our upcoming generation. Well done.
Did he make it longer than needed? Maybe. Some of the middle was fluffed up, I guess. But I loved how he told us about the ending. And also her "home church" (or parents home church). Thank you mr story-teller.
This is why I always take the 10 essentials, even on short hikes. Thank goodness all ended well!
This is why you never enter griz country alone, tell someone else not with you, where your going, and don't assumed and guess a trail loops. If you don't know it does for a fact, walk out the way you walked in. No need for 10 essentials to walk a couple miles in the woods to take a swim.
This comment should have a thousand likes. The fact that it doesn't speaks volumes about our current society. Nobody wants to take personal responsibility for anything.
@@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism You should always have a compass when you go into the woods. At a minimum, a watch with analog hands and know how to use it with the Sun to get your bearings. It is clear from this story she had neither.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Lesson learned, and not just for Madeline. Thanks for this great video.
I like hearing a story with a happy ending! Even though she made mistakes, she managed to do some important things right too. She kept her spirits up, managed to find her own way back to the trail, and knew which plants to eat and where to get clean water. She is very lucky to be alive! I'm very glad her dog survived too and that they could keep each other warm.
I'm simply glad she survived and was all right with her dog. I enjoyed this story. Thanks.
Yes to survival stories! And thank goodness she and her pup were OK in the end. Skill and hardiness combined with the best luck you could hope for in that situation
I was so relieved that hope prevailed and she was found. Very nice to hear a happy ending to this very scary real life story. Thank you for sharing!
These are the most positive comments I’ve ever seen under a RUclips video. I’m not sure if it’s the dog being featured in the story or your own positive attitude drawing in like minded people or the happy ending to this story that did it but RUclips should study this because most comment sections devolve into anarchy and threats of committing war crimes on one another
So glad she is alive and well with her beautiful pet dog !!!
*I'm GLad that the Dog got Out!!! & oh, yeah, Her too!!!*
I kept waiting for “….and then they found her body in 6 ft of snow.” I’m so glad it didn’t turn out that way this time. Using an experience like this as a learning tool is both beneficial and uplifting for everyone. Thanks so much for this one that didn’t end with a dead hiker in an isolated outhouse.
Congrats on your 150K, Kyle! Wow, so glad this ended happily. Compass, map, GPS, and at least minimum gear and supplies, is my takeaway - even on just a short walk in nature. I hope Madeline is doing well these days.
Thank you Michelle! Good takeaways
Yes always take your gear!
That was the calmest, most peaceful "terrifying experience".
SO GLAD she was okay!
Every person makes mistakes, and a simple mistake shouldn't be held against anybody. Madeline is an amazing person for staying so positive in a terrifying situation. I've been hiking close to populated areas, and gotten disoriented, and even when you know you're not too far out, it's really intimidating. She's an inspiration!
Madeline made multiple mistakes and then was arrogant about it.
Holy geez she was lucky to survive that! 7 days in the snow with no food or gear? Yeah, I get that shed feel like an idiot for getting lost in the first place, but she survived! She should also feel just a bit like Wonder Woman! 😉
Good story, Kyle. They can't all be doom and gloom. Happy endings happen too 😊
I'll do more with happy endings for sure!
I remember hearing this. She must have had a guardian Angel watching over her, because it sounded like a grizzly was nearby and watching her. Eventually she could have been dinner. Fortunately she was just a kid with positive attitude which made all of the difference. Thankfully it ended well. So many people moving here are not having good endings, because they’re totally unprepared. Carry a GPS tracker and bear spray.
She should feel like an idiot. Went into the woods without a compass? Didn't know how to use the hands on a watch and the Sun to get her bearings? Didn't take a bearing when she left her car? Made dozens of people miss work and family to look for her? Put her dog at risk unnecessarily? So many mistakes here (and she is an experienced outdoors man?) it is unbelievable.
Being an avid hiker myself this terrifies me. Bears terrify me. I'm happy her and her furbaby made it out alive. She's human and we all make mistakes. Nobody on this planet is perfect. Lesson learned and she owned up to it.
Wait a minute...this lady went hiking on her own without equiptment in bear country without gear and took a nap in the wilderness before she got lost? Is this a death wish? Not judging her but what is she thingking?
Grizzly bears have zero qualms about ripping off a person’s head. Grizzlies are doing well in Montana and they are proliferating. Check out the story about the poor lady in Ovando.
@@SilverGrizzly Just one reason I don't go hiking, camping, etc. without being armed. Most backpackers seem to be city folk, hippie types, especially the ultra lighters, so they talk a lot of shit about me having a gun or carrying the weight. But country folk seem to have more respect and common sense in the wilderness than they do.
The dog is not a baby thankfully in this circumstances
@@SilverGrizzly god, yes, aren't they vicious they do not care if you are screaming, whilst they tear you apart . Did you hear about the so-called bear whisperer who went camping in alaska with his girlfriend who didn't like bears and they were both torn to shreds , I mean they were in the middle of a company of bears if that's their collective noun !! In the middle of hungry season when the bears are fattening up for winter . Total madness !!
Awesome story, well told and best of all it had a happy ending for Madeline and, I'm glad she had her doggie to keep her company❤❤❤❤
I like hearing a happy ending like this. It teaches us what not to do, and it teaches us how to keep our wits and survive a very difficult situation.
Sad thing is the "story" did not tell everybody what to do: map and compass or you don't go.
Thank you for this video! As an avid hiker, forager of California, Oregon & Washington, I so appreciate the happy ending. I have actually gotten lost in an area in Oregon that I knew well! This was during a Porcini hunt, dropped my Walkie Talkie scaling over a ridge of fallen trees. I was only lost for about 5 hours, until I made a decision not to find my trail, but to hike out where I assumed there was a road. Came out about 5 miles from my trail head, but was no longer lost.
In Gasquet California this winter, an unfortunate loss of life occurred for a family from Washington, mushroom hunting. I watched the search above my home, locals were not allowed to participate unless we were part of the search and rescue. I saw the helicopter bring in the adult daughter, the dog was rescued, the Father had found his way out and reported his missing daughter, wife, and dog. Unfortunately, the Mother was finally found under a log. Our weather had turned very cold, unfortunately. Most of us felt she could have made it through the first 3 nights, but after that, hypothermia would have taken its toll. Very saddened by the loss of a fellow forager.
Omg I’m so glad this didn’t end the way I was afraid it would. As someone who hikes regularly with my dog, I’m way more scared of something happening to him than me
My dog is my most reliable piece of equipment I have. He makes a pretty damn good companion as well!
Same when hiking with mine
I wouldn't take it places where the wild animals are bigger than it is, pretty well known they can attract unwanted guest.
@@emerkamp1
Can also scare them away.
Same. Lots of people want protective dogs but I love cowardly ones. I couldn’t imagine either my boys trying to save me. Had an old girl who would try and it hurt worse seeing than getting beat.
Dumb rarely meets luck with favorable results.
This was one of those rare meetings.
Wishing Madeline happiness on her future endeavors and many opportunities to speak publicly on this topic. She (and you, Kyle) are a gift to the outdoor community. BIG👍
What a blessing of story. She kept her sense and survived. Bless her.
So grateful for the happy ending. Kudos to Madeline for being open to you sharing her story!
Wow! She’s a better woman than me, mistakes and all. So glad this had a happy ending. I strongly believe that having her dog with her made a big difference in many ways.😊
I guess I have been having a harder time then I thought. That happy ending really hit hard. Thanks so much everything you do
I just did a curtailed solo overnight hike into the "Pemi" Wilderness near Owl's Head Mountain in the Whites of NH. I got home to Providence last night.
In preparation, I got a new Gaia subscription and brought a high-quality paper map. I checked the message board at the trailhead parking for trail updates. I spoke with a park ranger who warned me that some sections of the loop I had planned to hike were flooded out with raging melt water. He recommended a different route, with wild camping at Black Pond, then continuing on to the mountain the next day.
That trail to Black Pond was rarely marked. I got lost in a boggy section on the first day. The satellite navigation righted me.
I got lost again on the second day, accidentally losing the trail by following an animal trail to a bog. Again, the sat-nav led me back to the trail (though it was glitchy).
I planned to hike Owl's Head Mountain on that second day, but as I climbed the trail toward the mountain's approach trail I encountered more and more ice-pack on the trails, and I had not brought my microspikes. I was turning my ankles, slipping and sliding for a good hour. The hiking was so difficult that I turned back two-thirds of the way and decided to cancel the remaining two nights I planned on the trail. Without spikes, it was pointless. And I had no intention to hike where I needed spikes.
I chose taking a different route back to my car on the Lincoln Brook Trail, but it was completely unmarked, overgrown and was basically bushwhacking...and exhausting. So after hiking that for an hour I turned around and backtracked to the trail I took on the first day. Again, the sat-nav returned me to the navigable trail, back to Black Pond on my way to my car.
It was my first trip in over a year, having suffered a serious work injury last March and spending most of the past year on the couch. So I was not in my best shape, and as I was hiking in the Whites in April, I was hauling a 41-pound winter pack.
In all, I must have lost the trails a half-dozen times. Without sat-nav, a compass and a paper map - and without having talked to the ranger - I could have ended up as a feature in Reader's Digest.
Someone just told me that 20+ hikers died in the White Mountains over the past year. (I have not verified that.) It is not an area to underestimate.
You must know your limits and hike according to your gear. You must be willing to quit a trip. And you must be prepared for what could go awry. Even on short day hikes, I always carry a small pack with survival gear, a compass, maps and food. You never know what will happen out there.
Good for this woman not quitting.
Regarding bears, I saw fresh claw marks and fresh bear prints in mud and snow on that second morning, just 100 feet from my campsite. About a half-mile along I found the biggest foot print. It was 10" long and 8" wide - massive! That is when I moved my bear spray from my hard-to-reach side pocket to my chest strap.
I got the impression that the bear was not happy about my incursion into its territory and was letting me know with the claw marks.
Safety never takes a holiday.
Glad she made it out alive. Self awareness is good and it's nice to see her own up to her stupidity. I'm sure other people will be saved by hearing this story.
I am so glad this story had a happy ending. This could have been a tragedy so easily. The fact that she survived for a week in some of the most inhospitable wilderness in the world is a testament to her courage and will to survive.
It's a testament to her arrogance, stupidity, selfishness and lack of resourcefulness.
She’s a bad ass! She took responsibility but we all make mistakes some more severe than others. But more importantly, she survived with nothing and kept her head together the entire time! I’m sure Madeline and her pup were life savers to each other. Feel good ending ❤
@@Ronnie86753 right??? Like she just went out for an hour hike, maybe she shouldn't have but I'm sure plenty of other people did the same at the same time
@@MothCreature13😊
How did she, "take responsibility" for anything? Seems to me like she abdicated responsibility: No map; No compass; did not know how to use her watch and the Sun to get a bearing; did not take a bearing when she left the car; put her dog at risk; put all the people looking for her at risk, etc. All I see is a person who is completely irresponsible.
So good to hear a happy ending! I teared up when the rescuers said “the whole world is looking for you!” Oh my gosh 😭
🥹
YES. I loved the ending. First she finds the sign, confirming where she needed to go. Then she spots the search team. "Are you hikers?" They answer,
"Are you Madeline Connelly." "Yes. Are you looking for me?" "The whole world is looking for you." WOW!! (and she wanted to hike out!!)
Great story. Everyone appreciates a happy ending (at least once in a while). I'm sure we all were especially relieved that this tale didn't end in tragedy, being that the lost party included a four-legged hiker.
It's a sweet ending when the person makes it out alive and relatively unhurt. Sounds like she took the lesson to heart as well.
I'm thankful for her sake that she had her dog with her. I'm sure he was a great comfort to her - and an important source of warmth!
so happy for Madeline and her dog to make it home
I have been in so many search and rescue missions in the mountains. It is often so frustrating when you fail to find them alive, and when you realise the simple things they could have done that would have saved their lives. Please think and plan before you venture forth.
This comment should have a thousand likes.
really glad she was found and so happy she had her dog with her. Sure that helped tremendously
Very nice to have a story with a happy ending! :)
And I do not blame her for getting lost. I think it is easy to get lost, especially, when you are not planning to go on a longer hike (where you take all the gear with you). She just underestimated, that you also can get lost so quickly, when just turning once to the wrong direction.
I remember myself when looking for mushrooms... suddenly not knowing anymore in which direction to go - luckily this just was our home forest with lots of people walking...etc.. so no danger at all - and I quickly found the way back. But it was that experience - how really quickly you can lose orientation - even in a familiar place, when there are suddenly just "trees" around you!
I nearly burst into tears at "the whole world is looking for you" idk why!
Great story Kyle. It’s absolutely crucial to get this story out to the public as well as others like it. We are all vulnerable. Hopefully some of the companies that produce GPS devices will throw you a sponsorship. Good channel.
I’m happy that it all worked out for Madeline and Mogie.
Always love a happy ending of course but being able to interview Maddy gives us some perspective on what the lost hikers who's stories didn't end were experiencing and their thought processes. I honestly think having her dog for a companion was instrumental to her survival
Maddy was a roommate of mine briefly back in Prescott, AZ. Such a kind and rad soul.
Her strength of character is what saved her. She sounds like an awesome person.
Wait a minute...this lady went hiking on her own without equiptment in bear country without gear and took a nap in the wilderness before she got lost? Is this a death wish? Not judging her but what is she thingking?
@@cfG21 No doubt she made a huge mistake. I'm not saying she didn't mess up, but her positive attitude and mental strength went a long way toward keeping her alive. Then afterward, she showed extreme gratitude toward her rescuers and had the humility to admit her mistake.
Sounds like an irresponsible idiot to me.
Life is not about not making mistakes.. but about persevering through the opposition! Well done Madeline, kept your head, and spirits and learned a tremendous lesson. And the divine in each of us had a chance to take center stage through selfless individuals engaged in finding her. That is what makes life worth living. It's not the mistakes we make, but how we rebound and become better.
She made a big mistake to be sure. But she recovered well and showed tremendous mental and emotional fortitude. Amazing.
Amazing indeed. Thanks for tuning in Daniel.
What badass! Glad she made it😊 thanks for sharing.
WOW!!!! Amazing resilience and stamina, Maddie you’re a legend…
You are without any doubt an outstanding young lady and deserve nothing but praise, admiration and respect
You kept your fear in check which is an incredible feat considering the predicament you were in and most importantly you never gave up…
You’re a shining example of true spirit and bravery in the face of adversity
May all of us learn from your unfortunate experience and follow in your footsteps, if we should ever find ourselves in similar situations
Lot's of suspense. So happy that things turned out OK for her, her dog and all the rescuers, family and friends. The beauty of the environment must actually have been a reward. The positive thinking attitude is contributing as a life saver. By the way: well told!
I lost a childhood friend to a bear attack. She was training for a competition, went running with headphones on and missed the bear warnings for that area and sadly lost her life.
So happy to see this had a happy ending!!
😯Sorry to hear! Terrible!!!
Take stupid chances, win stupid prizes!
Glad her and the pooch was found safe
I saw this story in my feed & couldn’t resist. I am so grateful that there was a happy ending & I praise God that the girl was found in good shape.
So glad she is okay. I got off trail in a state park and started to wander. My dog was with me. And started running back and forth in a straight line and I realized she was on the trail and showing me ‘hey here is the trail.’ She had been on the same trail three times before. I was amazed how quickly I had gotten turned around. It’s easy to do.
This is a great example of how having a positive attitude can influence the outcome of a potential disaster. Thank you to Madeline Connelly for sharing this with the rest of us as we can all learn from your experience. Happy trails and stay safe. Love from British Columbia.
Thank goodness she kept her head and didn't lose perspective on the whole situation. And she did admit she was wrong. Hard lesson learned and an excellent reminder to always bring a basic pack, just in case. Because you never know !
I didn't see any admission. What time stamp?