**Lost Camper Sam Benastick Found After 50 Days in Northern BC Wilderness**

Sam Benastick, a 20-year-old adventurer who ventured into Redfern-Keily Park on October 17 for a ten-day camping trip, has been discovered after enduring over five weeks in the unforgiving wilderness of Northern British Columbia.

Initially, Benastick had planned a short camping stint but disappeared beyond his expected return date. Concerned for his safety, his family initiated a search effort, anxious about the frigid conditions he faced. Benastick's harrowing experience saw him enduring plummeting temperatures that reached below -20°C (-4°F) at night, in a park notorious for its remote conditions and presence of grizzly and black bears.

The young camper was finally found walking along a service road, utilizing two walking sticks for support and using a modified sleeping bag wrapped around his legs for warmth. Mike Reid, general manager of the Buffalo Inn in Pink Mountain, B.C., expressed amazement at Benastick’s resilience. "For 50 days out in that cold, he's going to live," Reid remarked to CBC.

The search for Benastick had been extensive, orchestrated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police with canine units and search and rescue teams canvassing the area. Despite initial efforts ceasing on October 28 after no trace of Benastick was found, his family and friends held onto hope.

Miraculously, on a day in December, workers grading the service roads spotted Benastick walking with makeshift crutches. "They said, 'What the hell is that person doing walking on this road?' And it was Sam," Reid recounted. Exhausted and near collapse, Benastick was promptly taken to a hospital in Fort Nelson, where he is currently recovering.

Reid, who hosted Benastick's parents at the inn for over 20 days during their search, expressed deep relief and joy upon hearing the news. "It's amazing. For him to find his son, it's just amazing," Reid shared with CBC’s Radio West. Benastick’s resilience and the eventual reunion with his family serve as a testament to hope and determination.