Stranded hiker finds shelter in a mountain lion's den for four days before being located by a friend's unmanned aerial vehicle.
Unfiltered Account of a Narrow Escape in the Nevado de Chuscha Expedition
Braving the rugged terrain and pushing past one's limits, that's the thrill of mountaineering. But there's a price to pay for deviating from the beaten path, as 52-year-old Jorge Lopez learned the hard way during his expedition to Nevado de Chuscha in Tucumán's Calchaquí Valley.
An expert mountaineer with 25 years under his belt, Jorge set out on an adventure with five friends to traverse the sierras of Cajón, conquer Nevado de Chuscha, and wind up in Cafayate. As they ventured forth, exploring the unique landscapes of Tucumán's northeast, misfortune struck.
In a blink of an eye, everything changed when Jorge lost sight of his companions while slightly behind. Stumbling and falling into a crevice, he found himself adrift in the mountains.
Relying on his instincts and outdoorsmanship, Jorge clawed his way through the wilderness, attempting to retrace his steps. He caught a glimpse of a river and started descending, only to be stopped by a 20-meter waterfall. Unable to proceed, he took refuge in an abandoned rural post. There, he dined on cheese and salami, subsisting on the scant supplies he carried.
Contending with the creeping cold and exhaustion, Jorge persevered. He struck out in search of alternative routes, climbing stone walls up to 4 meters high, and inadvertently becoming lost once more. Tired yet undeterred, he bedded down in a puma cave, trusting in the animals' habit of avoiding human contact.
While Jorge battled the elements, his companions took action. Launching a rescue mission, they enlisted local authorities and scoured the terrain for signs of their friend. After four fruitless days, they stumbled upon a crucial clue: a coffee filter left behind by Jorge as a makeshift signal. Realizing he was still alive, they intensified their search.
With the help of a drone operated by one of the team members, Eliseo Jantzon, they zeroed in on their elusive comrade. Hearing the hum of the drone nearby, Jorge raised his arms, signaling his presence. After four harrowing days lost in the wild, he was found – mere meters from where his friends had first resumed their search.
Embracing their survivor, the group celebrated their reunion. Jorge, ever the calm and focused adventurer, was able to keep his wits about him long enough to save himself. Thanks to his grit and determination, he conquered both the mountain and his own adversity.
By Iván Hojman Tucumán Real-Life Survival Tales
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