Tiffany Slaton, a hiker from Georgia, was discovered safe near a lake in Fresno County, California, after being missing for weeks during a solo camping trip in the California wilderness. She sought refuge in an empty lakeside cabin after becoming trapped in a blizzard. The owner of Vermilion Valley Resort spotted her in the cabin and reported her to the Fresno County sheriff’s office. Despite being dehydrated, Slaton was in good condition and was taken to a hospital for further treatment.

Slaton’s family had reported her missing on April 29 after not hearing from her for nine days during her solo camping trip through the Sierra Nevada. Investigators confirmed her last sightings near Huntington Lake and Cressman’s General Store before she went missing. A full-scale search operation covering nearly 600 square miles was conducted between May 6 and 10 by the sheriff’s search and rescue team.

The rescue team had been unable to search Lake Edison due to heavy snow, but Slaton was found there after snowplows cleared the road. The resort owner, Christopher Gutierrez, left a cabin unlocked as a precaution for lost individuals needing shelter. Slaton survived on leeks and shared her harrowing experience with Gutierrez. Officials plan to meet with Slaton to gather more details about her ordeal during the time she was missing. Slaton’s family expressed relief and excitement at her safe return, eagerly awaiting a reunion with her.