UNITED STATES NEWS

Hiker survives 4 days alone in Utah without food

Apr 30, 2012, 7:06 AM

Associated Press

(AP) – The hunger and pain weren’t the worst of Victoria Grover’s ordeal as she shivered alone for four days with a broken leg and no food in Utah’s rugged wilderness.

The toughest challenge was facing the “incredible” boredom and severe cold that came as nighttime temperatures dropped to the low 30s in the high desert, she said.

A veteran outdoor enthusiast, the 59-year-old had set out on a 6-mile-long day hike Tuesday in the Dixie National Forest, but became stranded after breaking her leg during a jump from a 4-foot ledge.

By the time rescuers located her Saturday, she was holed up along a creek suffering from hypothermia.

“The hunger is something that comes in waves. You get hungry and want to eat everything and then it goes away,” Grover said. “The worst thing is the cold. It never warmed up except for a few hours in the afternoon.”

Grover, a physician assistant from Wade, Maine, was recovering Sunday at a southern Utah hospital where doctors expect her to make a full recovery.

“I’m sure she’ll be hiking again,” said Dr. Daniel Allen of Valley View Medical Center in Cedar City.

Grover has diabetes, but the doctor said it had no impact whatsoever on her blood sugar or accident.

Grover told reporters at a news conference Sunday that she survived by sleeping in shade during the day when highs were in the 50s and low 60s. She stayed awake at night while curled up in a poncho that she said helped save her life by serving as a wind breaker

“The last night I stopped shivering and that’s one of the early signs of hypothermia. The last night was the worst,” Grover said.

She relied on her faith, played mind games and recited poetry to help pass the time until rescuers arrived, she said.

“I prayed a lot and derived comfort from it,” said Grover, who is Mormon. “I thought God would do everything possible to help me overcome my stupidity. I learned from my mother that things can always be worse.”

Authorities were able to locate Grover through a rental car agreement found in her room at a guest ranch where she was staying. The establishment notified the sheriff’s office when she failed to check out Thursday as scheduled. Grover didn’t leave an itinerary of her hike behind.

The unmarked, unmaintained trail Grover hiked took her over terrain featuring slot canyons and pine- and juniper-covered ridges.

Ironically, Grover was revisiting country she first saw while taking a Brigham Young University survival course 40 years ago. “I knew what I had to do to survive,” she said, because of her outdoors and medical experience.

She finally enjoyed her first meal Saturday night.

“Before that, I was dreaming of oranges, which is one of my favorite foods,” she said. “But there are people who can go for weeks and weeks without food in this world. We have it easy in America.”

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

United States News

Associated Press

Ringo Starr on ‘Rewind Forward,’ writing country music, the AI-assisted final Beatles track and more

LOS ANGELES (AP) — There are rock stars, and then there is Ringo Starr — drummer for the Beatles, award-winning soloist, photographer, narrator, actor, activist. To call him prolific would almost shortchange his accomplishments. But it also feels right. “Rewind Forward,” out October 13, is his fourth extended play release in three years. “I’ve loved […]

14 minutes ago

File - The container ship Ever Libra (TW) is moored at the Port of Los Angeles on Nov. 21, 2022. On...

Associated Press

US government estimates last quarter’s economic growth was 2.1%, unchanged from previous estimate

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy grew at a 2.1% annual pace from April through June, extending its sturdy performance in the face of higher interest rates, the government said Thursday, leaving its previous estimate unchanged. The second-quarter expansion of the nation’s gross domestic product — its total output of goods and services — marked […]

1 hour ago

FILE - Elton John, left, and Bernie Taupin, winners of the award for best original song for "(I'm G...

Associated Press

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony live this year, with Elton John and Chris Stapleton performing

NEW YORK (AP) — Elton John, Brandi Carlile, Dave Matthews, H.E.R., Chris Stapleton, St. Vincent and New Edition will perform at this fall’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which will be broadcast live for the first time. The ceremony will be live on Disney+ on Nov. 3 and streamable afterward. ABC will […]

2 hours ago

Frank LaPere, Nico LaPere and Caroline Frank, the family of Pava LaPere, founder of tech startup Ec...

Associated Press

Man wanted in killing of Baltimore tech entrepreneur arrested, police say

BALTIMORE (AP) — A man wanted in the killing of a Baltimore tech entrepreneur has been arrested, police said early Thursday. Police didn’t release any details of the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Jason Billingsley, but planned a news conference later in the morning. Baltimore police found 26-year-old Pava LaPere dead with signs of blunt […]

3 hours ago

Associated Press

Stock market today: Wall Street moderately lower as anxiety over interest rates persists

Wall Street turned lower early Thursday as concerns over interest rates, rising oil prices and a possible government shutdown hung over markets. Futures for the Dow Jones industrials inched back about 0.1% before the bell, while the S&P 500 lost 0.2%. After more than a decade in which the Federal Reserve would quickly cut rates […]

6 hours ago

FILE - A general view shows the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. ...

Associated Press

First congressional hearing on Maui wildfire to focus on island’s sole electric provider and grid

Hawaii’s top public utility officials and the president of Hawaiian Electric are expected to testify Thursday in a congressional hearing about the role the electrical grid played in last month’s deadly Maui wildfire. Members of a U.S. House Energy and Commerce subcommittee are expected to question the utility officials about how the deadliest U.S. wildfire […]

9 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Sanderson Ford...

Sanderson Ford

Sanderson Ford congratulates D-backs’ on drive to great first half of 2023

The Arizona Diamondbacks just completed a red-hot first half of the major league season, and Sanderson Ford wants to send its congratulations to the ballclub.

...

Ability360

At Ability360, every day is Independence Day

With 100 different programs and services, more than 1,500 non-medically based home care staff, a world-renowned Sports & Fitness Center and over 15,000 people with disabilities served annually, across all ages and demographics, Ability360 is a nationwide leader in the disability community.

...

DAY & NIGHT AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING AND PLUMBING

Here are the biggest tips to keep your AC bill low this summer

PHOENIX — In Arizona during the summer, having a working air conditioning unit is not just a pleasure, but a necessity. No one wants to walk from their sweltering car just to continue to be hot in their home. As the triple digits hit around the Valley and are here to stay, your AC bill […]

Hiker survives 4 days alone in Utah without food