CDT Hiker Missing- Found!

[Maple]

I read this thread early this morning and he has been in my prayers all day. It is a relief to hear that he is alive and kicking. I too look forward to reading his trail journals.

[Tinker]

Wonderful news!

[Frosty]

No doubt it will be a story told more than any others. I can't recall any CDT hikers ever perishing on that trail. Thankfully he survived.

The difference between an epic adventure and a tragedy is, if you survive, it's and epic adventure.

[STEVEM]

The difference between an epic adventure and a tragedy is, if you survive, it's and epic adventure.

This is surly great news! As far as survival is concerned, he still has to explain this to Mrs Wildcat. That should be interesting.

[Roots]

You do not know how happy this makes me!!
Anytime a fellow hiker is in trouble, it gets me in the pit of the stomach!!
I am so glad to see a happy trails to this one!!

[Jaybird62]

Very good news- so happy to hear

[Thoughtful Owl]

PTL! I don't know Wildcat but after reading yesterday, he and his family have been in my thoughts and prayers. God Is Good All The Time and All The Time God Is Good!

[ChinMusic]

I hope the frostbite on his toes does not leave any permanent damage.

[JDCool1]

Checked the TJ site and found an update just a moment ago. Looks like the missing has reported in. Thank the good Lord.

[Lazarus]

Wow! Great news! This has jolted me out of my former long-standing status as spectator, and into a real participant in this website. I never met Wildcat, but thank God for his safety. I pray for his continued safety as he continues his journey.

Laz

[doggiebag]

It's about time you came to life .

[Mags]

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=213465

Okay...you might not know it, but I've been concerned about WILDCAT. I last spoke with him on Dec. 3rd from Pietown; but he left a message on our answering machine Dec. 8th. When One Gallon expressed concern over this, I decided that I was indeed worried. It's not unusual to go a week without a phone call from him, but yesterday I learned that he had not picked up his maildrop (ETA 12/11) at Doc Campbell's. They recommended I call the visitor center nearby, and then they suggested I call the New Mexico State Police. So I slept last night, but worried every time I was awake. This morning I called Silver City to learn that he hadn't made it that far either, because that package was still there. I was in contact with Sgt. Estrada with the NM police and Cathy Van Camp, the wilderness law enforcement officer in that area. They both encouraged me to wait & see if I heard from WILDCAT today; but I was ready for them to start a search first thing tomorrow.
After I arrived home from work, the phone rang; I remember wishing it would be WILDCAT...and it was!! He was calling from a motel in Glenwood, NM. He'd gotten into a lot of snow; 2-4 inches the first day; 4-8 inches the next day; 8-12 inches the 3rd day. While on the phone with WILDCAT, he told me to stand with my hands down at my sides and imagine snow up to my fingertips! He ran into some people who told him that, if he went west, he should be headed out of the snow. He said he was basically travelling with one week of food, but had been out two weeks!
WILDCAT has relatives in Silver City who will take him to a doctor tomorrow; he may have frostbite on 3-4 toes, the worst being his right big toe. At some point along the trail, he hoped I had called a search party! And he's decided he will not finish the trail in 2007; he'll go back & complete it next year.
I greatly appreciate the prayers, thoughts, emails, phone calls, etc. from everyone. The hiker community is just wonderful! I'll keep this site updated in the coming days as I learn more.
Becky

[Machine]

Glad to hear he's ok!

[Sly]

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=213465

And he's decided he will not finish the trail in 2007; he'll go back & complete it next year.

Becky

There's a chance I may be doing from Pie Town to the border before the ADZPCTKO.

Hey Rock, maybe you can get Wildcat to come to the SoRuck.

[Christopher Robin]

I also did not no Wildcat, but I do now & all day yesterday I prayed we would be safe. It is amazing how pray works. I hope Wildcat toes will be alright. Pray for a saef trip home. Merry Chismas to Wildcat, Becky & Family. Love in Christ, Audrey

[SGT Rock]

There's a chance I may be doing from Pie Town to the border before the ADZPCTKO.

Hey Rock, maybe you can get Wildcat to come to the SoRuck.

I'll talk to him when I see him.

[Sly]

I'll talk to him when I see him.

That will be cool.

I met Wildcat in E Glacier this past June. When he found out I lost all my guidebooks and maps on the bus, he gave me the section of guidebook for Glacier NP that I needed. There were a bunch of hikers up there at the same time. Good time in the bar!

I just looked, no pics.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

Bert is on the front page of the local paper:
http://www.thedailytimes.com/article.../NEWS/32349914

[neighbor dave]

amen!!!!

[woodsy]

Great story for a happy ending. Sounds like an ordeal only the very experienced backwoodsman/mountainman could survive.