65-Year-Old Hunter Survives Three Weeks in California Wilderness

A California resident shares an astonishing tale of survival after vanishing in the Sierra Nevada mountains for almost three weeks.

"It was just me and my faith every single night," Ron Dailey, aged 65, recounted to "CBS Mornings." His faith was his cornerstone while enduring the harsh and isolating conditions of the vast mountainous terrain.

On October 13, Dailey set out equipped for a short hunting expedition in the Sierra National Forest, a sprawling wilderness near Fresno, California. When he failed to return as expected, his family informed the Fresno County Sheriff's Office, launching an extensive search operation by air and on foot. This search spanned multiple counties as responders combed the rugged landscape to find the missing individual.

Although the hunting journey was intended to be short-lived, Dailey found himself stuck in the wilderness due to a series of unfortunate events: a navigational error, an unexpected snowstorm, and a malfunctioning truck.

"I drove down a slope and immediately thought, 'This isn't looking good,'" Dailey recounted when he first realized his situation in the woods. "I tried to retrace my steps out but failed."

That evening brought a brutal winter storm. Dailey observed about two feet of snow covering his vehicle and the surrounding area. His thoughts started racing: "I'm really in a predicament now," he explained to "CBS Mornings."

Desperation turned to determination as Dailey switched to survival mode. He rationed his supplies of 14 water bottles and a food stock equating to approximately 900 calories for as long as possible. Eventually, his provisions were exhausted, leaving him uncertain of rescue as his whereabouts were unclear to anyone.

Dailey's rescue came after a divine prompting woke him at 6:45 on a Saturday morning, urging him to venture out. "There was a directive to get my boots on and move," he shared.

He paced an estimated 10 to 12 miles through the vast wilderness, taking frequent breaks due to the elevation, until he finally encountered three rescuers.

"The Christian community came together, offering relentless prayers," Dailey expressed. "They refused to let me perish, and neither did God."