A hillside of redwood and fir trees in Mendocino County.
First, Gene Penaflor lost his hunting buddy. Then he lost his foothold, tumbled down a slope and was knocked out. Coming to, he found himself alone in the middle of Mendocino National Forest, California. But even as days turned into weeks in the freezing wilderness, he refused to lose hope.
Foraging for algae in a creek, and hunting squirrels and a snake with his seven remaining bullets, the courageous 72-year-old managed to survive for 19 days, until another hunter came by. Penaflor was eventually ferried by helicopter to Ukiah Valley Medical Center, where he shared an emotional, hug-filled reunion with his family.
[CNN]