A 53-year-old woman from Victoria who had gone into a rugged backcountry without a cell phone to ‘maximize experience with nature’ as part of a spiritual retreat has been rescued by SAR teams in Colorado. After spending four days lost in the rugged backcountry of San Miguel County, Gina Chase was found uninjured and was located by a team of dedicated search and rescue volunteers.
Chase had been participating in a solo wilderness experience organized by the Animas Valley Institute, based in Durango. As part of the program, she and other campers ventured into the backcountry without cellphones and practiced fasting to deepen their connection with nature. Animas has also issued a statement on Facebook, noting that fasting is optional.
However, a large-scale search effort was launched when she failed to return as scheduled on Wednesday, August 14. San Miguel County Sheriff Bill Masters praised the tireless efforts of the search and rescue teams, deputies, and other supporting agencies. “This is the result we were all hoping for, and we couldn’t be happier for Ms. Chase and her family. The success of this mission highlights the tenacity, perseverance, and dedication of everyone involved,” Sheriff Masters said.
Sheriff Masters also reminded the public about the importance of safety when exploring the wilderness. He stressed that individuals should never venture alone, always carry communication devices, and refrain from practices like fasting in unforgiving environments.
“Nature does not care about your safety and can be deadly if you’re not properly prepared,” he warned.
The search operation involved over three dozen deputies, volunteer search and rescue members, and numerous agencies. Authorities said that the challenging terrain and dense vegetation in the Lone Cone area near Norwood added to the mission’s difficulty.
Air support was provided by Highland Helicopter from Durango, a private pilot from Norwood, and the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control’s multi-mission aircraft. Additional assistance came from search and rescue teams across La Plata, Montezuma, Dolores, and Ouray counties, K9 units, the Ridgway Fire Department drone team, and the U.S. Forest Service.
Sheriff Masters expressed his deep gratitude to all who contributed to the search and rescue operation, emphasizing that the successful recovery of Chase was a collective achievement made possible by the dedication and cooperation of many.
