The Most "Suspicious" Missing Hiker Case on the Internet... What REALLY Happened?

[@javiercantellops7047]

I’m Javier Cantellops one of the men that found her and Search and Reacue team leader during this incredible story. I appreciate your well put together video. A friend shared it with me. To answer one of your questions…Where she actually got lost, not where we were searching but where she actually became lost. There were no more trails or roads intersecting. She f’d up incredibly badly in the worst spot possible. If you ever have any questions feel free to reach out 🤙

[@marievaleur7877]

Thank you Javier!

[@Kimmaline]

Javier, you're f'ing awesome.

[@ButterfliesAreNinjas]

Great job! You all saved her life ❤

[@jonbruce536]

@kekibannmi6054 correct.

[@KyleHatesHiking]

So cool, glad you liked the video! Hope I pronounced your name right 😬 Thank you for all the work you and the other searchers did

[@60sGirl123]

I got lost it happens. West Virginia, I was walking my dogs, intended a 10 minute walk, and paid more attention to my cute little dogs than the trail. WV trails wind in and out, sometimes poorly marked, like hiking noodles. 4 hours later I was using my phone to get out to anywhere safe, and found myself at a familiar landmark. But it was the wrong direction! I was unknowingly hiking deeper into the woods, not out, as I thought. Once I stumbled onto this well-known landmark, I took the straight path to the road which I knew very well. I ended up 3 miles away from my car but I just stayed on the highway after that. I was pretty tired. I had been on this trail so many times. It was near dusk when I started my “10 minute walk.”

[@Carmensrt]

Damn. I'm glad your incident ended well.

[@robbieglass9125]

And you wasn’t lost for 17 days.

[@dianadenman5637]

Wow....what a story! Glad you're ok. Just an ordinary person taking a common walk with your dogs on a familiar trail! I used to live in the Rocky Mountains as a kid. It was VERY common for people who got lost up there to try and hike out. Invariably, they would wind up walking in a giant circle and just end up where they started. It's extremely discouraging. I don't know how a person could hike in a circle. My parents instructed us kids that if we ever got lost in the mountains, to find a stream and follow it. The stream always went down the mountain and would lead to civilization eventually.

[@andreameigs1261]

That's nuts. I got the idea to start telling my dog "go home" on our way back to the car and saying, "good home!" when we get back and giving her awesome treats like beef jerky once we get back to the car. At least I'm pretty sure my beagle heeler would figure it out. I'm not sure about my schnauzer/terrier mix, but he is super food motivated, so he might figure it out. He's probably smarter than I give him credit for. Anyway, eventually the dog will know what it means, and it will just think it is always leading you back, so if you get lost and you can put all your trust in your dog, it will get you back. I also just thought that you could even make a game of it while at home...go down the driveway, and tell the dog, "go home." lead it to the car, and reward it when it gets to the car. When it gets that down, then go a few houses. Later, blindfold yourself and have someone turn you around a bunch of times to disorient yourself, hand you the leash, and tell the dog to go home. That will train you to trust the dog too, which is really the harder part when you get lost in real life. It's like how pilots train to trust their instruments so they don't fly into the ground. Anyway, I got this idea after seeing an episode of "I should have died" or whatever. Lady got lost with her dog in the grand canyon. One day she yelled at the dog for spilling the water, and it took off. The dog made it back to civilization just fine. The lady almost died, but some native trackers happened to see tracks in a rarely travelled area, so they followed them and found her. They didn't even know anyone was missing.

[@elizabethbenson9019]

I’m glad you and your dogs were ok ❤

[@diminudivadollhaus2097]

When I was a little girl, I was hiking on my Grandfather's farm. I was completely turned around and was headed in the wrong direction, but decided to tell my dog to go home. She turned and led me the opposite direction, After hiking up hill and through a field, I finally saw my grandfather's house. My dog knew where we were, thank goodness.

[@LaurenceDay-d2p]

Good thing you had a dog. They have a keen sense of smell and direction.

[@reignofbastet]

Dogs and horses always know the way back to the barn/home. You were a smart cookie as a kid!

[@javiercantellops7047]

My last comment as a search and rescue volunteer. What if she did take drugs? So what? Many of our search and rescue situations are due to mental illness, drugs, alcohol. That does not matter to any of us. We are there to find the person and reuniting with their family. WHY they went missing, HOW they went missing. means nothing to searchers. We are there to search find and reunite. Period

[@VanessaScrillions]

You are a good human ❤

[@davidbiagi2932]

Well said and y’all did an awesome job! All of these people want to cry and complain about “how and why” when none of that matters. If she wanted to smoke some weed or take a psychedelic and enjoy nature for a couple hours, who are they to try and degrade her? I highly doubt she did anything like that, MAYBE smoked some weed which anyone who has smoked knows it wouldn’t be a reason you got lost in the woods. And the idiots crying about how it’s dumb not to take her phone which it was stated over and over that she liked being one with nature and didn’t want to have any type of electronics around her while she was hiking. It seems pretty reasonable to me assuming she planned a short hike. If more people would be like her and could stay away from their phones for more than 5 mins, the world would be a much better place. In the end she was just someone who wanted to enjoy nature and some peacefulness for a couple hours, made a mistake and got lost and almost lost her life. Thanks to some great rescue efforts and not giving up, she was found relatively safe and that’s what everyone should be talking about, not the “why or how” she got lost or trying to degrade her and bash her choices.

[@flenzy]

Thanks for focusing on the big picture.

[@bearcubdaycare]

As a former search and rescue volunteer, I always hoped that people wouldn't delay a call for aid out of embarrassment.

[@Assia131]

Thanks for your services!

[@javiercantellops7047]

She was found almost 8 miles away from her car as the crow flies. But much further walking. The area that she actually got lost in was further away than the area we initially began to search. The reason we flew the helicopter so far was because honestly me and the hunter decided to go and push much further away because I believed that she was on the move and moving out Farther than we thought. The best way to cover that super rugged terrain before our hike was to get a layout form the sky. With the wishful thought we would get a miracle, and spot he. Our miracle happened. It’s a great story. If you ever want to do an interview with me I would love to chat about it. We were about three days from giving up. It was about to be our last weekend. We were planning for one final weekend push. Life changing day

[@Lockjawcatahoulapit]

How much did she pay you? 🤡

[@DChristina]

Thank you!

[@angelssoul5596]

I hope all of you rescuers and Amanda survived the fires. There is no question she survived something terrible and you guys saved her life. Horrible mind set of the nay sayers. Stay positive.

[@catherinenelson4162]

All in all, she needs to make better choices in the future. Thank goodness for all of the search and rescue people. Thank you for your kind service to others.

[@riversmcmullan5282]

You guys are true hero’s!!!!!God bless you all!

[@BigMamaCat]

Many years ago, I was part of a healthcare team that treated a woman who'd suffered exposure for just 3 days. She also made a lot of comments about spirituality and was convinced she'd been conversing with Lady Diana at one stage. Dehydration, starvation and electrolyte imbalances can affect people's perception and personality for some time. I don't think anyone should be disrespecting Amanda.

[@johnswanson3741]

Mental disorder from birth. Some say no common sense

[@mayaoktavia5709]

Word. ❤

[@mistygroves3503]

Yes, I got 2nd stage hypothermia once up a mountain in snow. I had taken nothing and hadn't drunk alcohol, but I wasn't rational. Not hallucinating, but resisting advice from my hiking partner to go down, get warmed up in the vehicle and call it a day. You see, I started to feel just fine and wondered what the fuss was about. I lay down in the snow "for a little rest" and didn't want to be bothered to get off the mountain. Thankfully, that guy managed to talk me out of it. When we got back to our parked van I started shivering so bad I cracked a tooth as the hypothermia started to reverse. It would have felt so easy to carry on and slip into 3rd stage. I thought I was wearing adequate clothing too for those conditions but I always was a skinny person so maybe lack of body fat set it off.

[@davidpierce3217]

I was hiking in the backcountry once and met a group of 4 who were out there with no map. They asked me where they were so I pulled out my map and showed them. The lead guy in the party said no, that wasn't where they were. I was really taken aback -- he didn't even have a map -- so I pointed out some landmarks around us and showed him where they were on the map, confirming that indeed we were where I said. He said he didn't believe it. It was surreal lol I wished them luck and went on my way. Some people just shouldn't be out hiking, they are not prepared in any way

[@lenitaa7938]

Some people have a really bad sense of direction! And some are just too ornery! It takes time and effort to learn to read a landscape, to read maps properly! They ought to be more classes led by the rangers that teach preparedness and other practical stuff! As well as in schools!

[@tima.478]

"Yep, you take care buddy." I would have told him the same...

[@MsLouisVee]

Some some people are just plain stupid

[@boiledliddo]

maybe that guy is relying on his spiritual powers. lol

[@bobmiller7502]

@@boiledliddo like some kind of gedi?

[@neurospicypisces]

This story gave me an idea. In these kinds of search and rescue events where helicopters are used multiple times, it might be helpful for them to drop a bright coloured supply package with a loud noise maker and GPS device. It would draw the attention of the lost person when they hear the helicopter, see it parachuting down, have a noise maker to help locate the landing spot, and if they go to it then they would have a location for the missing person. Could even have a messaging device. Include water and food in the package so they can get immediate sustenance. The GPS device used means that if a care package is never found then it can still be retrieved at a later date (leave no trace)

[@annrhodes3544]

Good thinking!

[@Wildberryquilting]

That's a brilliant idea. I've heard lots of stories like this where the people could see the helicopters but they were not seen. Imagine how many of those stories are never heard because the people aren't found. Your idea could be a literal life saver. I'm not sure who you should contact with it but you should look into getting it out there to the "right" people.

[@mopreppinmolivin]

Excellent idea! Brilliant!

[@kylie_h1978]

Definitely a good idea, though it would require a bit of thought on placement strategies and the recovering of any unused drops.

[@gghstlr]

Definitely a good idea for the Coast Guard and ALL rescues. The best thing to do would be to contact your local congressperson to get them to write a bill or make a suggestion on your state Senate floor

[@Mangotheman-u5x]

To her credit, I can definitely say that many other people would not have survived lost out in the bush for 17 days. Her spiritual demeanor and positivity may have actually contributed to her survival. You can research that people with positive attitudes do better in these extreme situations. Maybe those making fun or questioning her demeanor can learn something from her. Glad she made it through.

[@MoneyStrategiesSOULutions]

Good point

[@MandalayMoore33]

I think true grit and a steely determination to make it out alive are the "no BS- spiritual new [c]age" yardstikck snd are the equivalent to just being 'positive'. Her lack of being grounded was what most likely led to her disorientation in the fist place. THAT also came into play in "trusting" her shitty intuition - it led her deeper and farther away from safety.

[@Lostremote1]

Dude this is Maui, as long as you go downhill you are home within 3 hours max and maybe 6 hours if your a senior citizen. This woman was in hiding for a few days then fell and injured herself.

[@ghostcat2467]

​@@Lostremote1Yeah something not passing the sniff test here

[@geometerfpv2804]

​@@Lostremote1 Judging by your comment I think you would be surprised how little common sense many people have. People have been found dead a mere 30 ft from their trail. Just because it should have been easy to get out doesn't mean she was lying, she could just be a terrible navigator. Judging by the fact that she was "following her inner voice", this doesn't surprise me.

[@joshthemediocre7824]

I think the photos of her being found is one of the best parts of this story, it really captures a great moment. You can almost imagine being there.

[@Cherrysmith2809]

I actually live on Maui with the Makawao Forest reserve bordering my land and I have hiked a bit, but only in well designated areas. I can see how she could get lost, sleep on a tree (there are many giant fallen trees, and that would get you off the ground and away from more bugs), fall down a slippery gulch, etc. Look at her legs. She suffered out there. She starved out there. That was no prank. Maui attracts spiritual folks, artists, all kinds of dreamers. She is one of those who uses her heart way more than her head. It’s a type here lol.

[@tinateens6]

I lived on Maui when this happened and unless people know how Maui wilderness is, they don’t really get it. I agree with you and I have no doubts that she got turned around. I feel she’s lucky to not have gotten eaten by a boar. Amandas rescue was the only missing hiker case that I remember while I was out there have a happy ending. I was really hoping that Khiara Henry would’ve been found, so sad.😞

[@janicesmith2475]

That’s exactly what I was thinking. It wasn’t suspicious in any way. God, I’m 63 and a dreamer, and I wouldn’t think twice about napping on a log in a beautiful forest. Well, except I have severe arachnophobia. 🕷️ 😳

[@Cherrysmith2809]

@@janicesmith2475 Haha, you and me both, sis.

[@katrinacarter2019]

She lost a bit of weight plus sores on her mouth wouldn't happen if she was hanging out in a cabin

[@Therealgilmoregurl]

Well said

[@constancedenchy9801]

I got lost in Five Valkey Nevada. I climbed up really high and saw two hikers! I yelled to them "I lost my way off the trail! "...they helped me get back to the trail. I didnt have my cell. Was a huge lesson

[@tiffanym4202]

I think her ordeal was legit. She came out of the woods emaciated, lips blistered and with significant injuries. I'm glad she made it out alive.

[@thedaisiesgrow]

And I think if this were a dude, the “analysis” (speculation) would be completely different.

[@firefly88887]

I’d love to know what yoga pants she wore, can’t get mine to stay taught for 3 hours never mind 17 days ?

[@alaric_]

@@thedaisiesgrow Agree, 'he' would have been laughed at from the beginning with no remorse for getting lost and being a wimp. Anyone who saw her swollen and infected ankles either undrstands she wasn't there voluntarily or they are an idiot.

[@LoveK1]

@@alaric_men would have been the ones calling him a wimp so go take that attitude somewhere else.

[@jenniferglenn14]

@@firefly88887Buy better yoga pants lol

[@robinguertin574]

Three things; 1. Leave your plans with someone. 2. Be prepared for the worst. 3.The minute you know you're lost, stay put. It will make the rescue faster. I'm glad she was found alive.

[@808matson]

4 have a clue on how to navigate your surroundings. She could get lost in a parking lot

[@brentnevius2849]

Or just walk downhill until you hit the highway.

[@808matson]

@@brentnevius2849 now that is logical, don’t get me confused

[@Scotter4536]

@@brentnevius2849 THIS! The entire island is surrounded by a highway close to the coast and all of the streams flow to the coast. Even if you were in the deepest part of the forest, you'd still only be about 10 miles from the coast.

[@Ellie-rx3jt]

​​@@Scotter4536 One of the guys who rescued her said that the terrain in that area is very uneven, so "just go downhill" is impossible. If she was following the water downstream that was probably as close as she was going to get. Plus a riverbank without vegetation is great for being spotted by a helicopter.

[@javiercantellops7047]

Amanda was a close friend of mine. Out of all the searchers in the picture I was the only one that knew her. I had certified her in scuba diving and taken her on several other hiking/rappelling adventures. Why did I take pictures??? Why do you think . We were insanely ecstatic at finding her. Literally the single greatest moment in my life. We had been beyond depressed around day 10. Day 14 about to give up. We were pushing for one last weekend before would call the search off. … If you know me I do tend to take lots of pics so out loud I exclaimed oh we’re taking a f@&king picture 😆 and I immedietly sent it to her father and base camp. Then thought about it for a split second and said f&$k it and posted it. So many people had been negative, not believing what we were doing was worth while. People coming up to me telling me we were wasting our time. That she was already dead. …It was an absolute celebration of life and one of the greatest couple of pics I’ve ever taken. This story literally changed my life path and changed the course of my life forever. The aftermath of losers talking shit never bothered me really. As we lived this story, we saved her life, and we never gave up. Everyone else are couch quarterbacks having zero clue. Thanks for the comments I’m turning off notifications for this now🤙 you all take care

[@mariahconklin4150]

Glad you all found your friend what a sweet story. I’d probably get lost out there I’m pretty bad with directions so is my boyfriend haha

[@jjr1728]

You are NOT Nordic. You never will be Nordic.

[@ATLmodK]

The value of your work is beyond measure. Thank you for what you do.

[@FlipNasty1]

No she wasn't

[@MoneyStrategiesSOULutions]

🌈🐬🙏

[@yemrot1]

Another case of people wanting to believe a complicated lie rather than the simple truth. The woman got lost.

[@christine1921murphy]

There are portals....Watch "MAN OF LIGHT"

[@maureenavila9970]

Real life sometimes actually is" stranger than fiction" .

[@sunnyscott4876]

Occam's razor ...the simplest explanation is usually the truth.

[@christine1921murphy]

@sunnyscott4876 NO IT AIN'T TRUTH in our world is always COVERED UP

[@christine1921murphy]

@sunnyscott4876 HEY. BUD, welcome to our reality, where TRUTH is always covered up

[@bensolocrying]

I love the photos so much, you can feel the joy not only radiating off of her from being found, but the joy on the rescuers faces finding her alive after so long 😭 made me cry

[@usbackcountry]

On the contrary I think its great that she has such a great positive attitude that she looked back at her days/nights lost in the wilderness as a good and nurturing experience. It just shows that she is a very psychologically healthy individual. And after all, and thankfully, she was not harmed by any agressive animals or evil minded humans.

[@Andrea_Green]

I actually paused the video to look at the picture because it genuinely made me smile. They were so happy and I would’ve been too. it was pure joy they felt at that moment❤

[@Shine13373]

I doubt this was anything more than her just being dumb and heading into the wilderness unprepared. She's lucky to have been found.

[@ae2948]

Exactly. She did the same thing a hundred times before and nothing bad happened. This time she got injured and lost.

[@wompppwompwomppp]

​@@ae2948confirmation bias is a killer

[@ae2948]

@@wompppwompwomppp No one ever thinks it will happen to them. And most of them will be right.

[@jejewa2763]

So they see an empty car but close the gate regardless ...what a bunch of idiots...bf just go to bed...another idiot...must be the food

[@andrewwaggoner1831]

​@@jejewa2763youd have to think he was somewhat accustomed to her not coming home, doing her own thing,as he stated. So it likely wasnt uncommon ,or he would have reported her missing right then? Its also a bit telling of how she operated that he had no idea where she had been that day,hiking, or otherwise,he simply dint know. Not judging thier relationship,or closeness ,just pointing out she seemed extremely set on * doing her own thing* and specifically not being in touch. 🤷‍♂️

[@oldandangry44]

People tend to suck online. They are all experts on anything they decide to comment on. She got lost for 17 days and was lucky to survive! I think she deserves to go on with her life without the shaming.

[@ChadFarthouse-h8r]

She is a gofundme scam artist

[@christerstabis3187]

@@ChadFarthouse-h8r To make such claims you have got proof, I guess ? If so it would be essential to the story for all to know about them. Just facts, no guessing (in either way in this story).

[@ChadFarthouse-h8r]

@@christerstabis3187 and you can also use common sense.

[@ChadFarthouse-h8r]

@@christerstabis3187 well one clue is there was a gofundme account set up for her. #2 people who go missing in the woods for 17 days are never found alive. 3 #3 her demeanor . She isn't acting or looking like someone who had been in the wilderness for 17 days.

[@christerstabis3187]

@@ChadFarthouse-h8r Okey. What I see from this video (and comments from the rescuer) I can not tell exactly what the truth is. I wouldn't blame anyone without being absolutely sure of it. Sure it is a remarkable story. But she looked much thinner on the pictures when they found her then the before picture. She ate some plants and moths so she got some energy from that. I am not sure how much she needed to eat for survival for 17 days so I can not make any conclusions by that. She fall and got some injuries from that. That would be easy to check for a medical staff and confirm if it was true or not. Even if have gone a long time the relatives of missing people use to want to find the missing person, even if they may be dead. So continuing a search for someone after a long time is not strange. So, to conclude, I can not say neither that you are true about that or wrong.

[@Chicken-dq9zg]

I think she made poor decisions, and she realized the tough spot she was in,so she decided to consider her disaster a spiritual bootcamp. She seems like a very nice person.

[@sondraarrache1908]

I have been lost in the woods. Fortunately, I made it out in the same day. I made all the mistakes she made and was just more fortunate. I am glad she was found.

[@letsdothis9063]

I got lost in a Forrest that I pretty much grew up in. I would always go off of the main trails. One day I got disoriented and freaking lost. It was hot and I didn't have any water. Yeah it's scary. I eventually stumbled upon a familiar trail, and I was way further away from where I needed to be. Even after the relief of finding the trail, I thought that I might not make it back to the trailhead. Obviously, I made it. But yeah...no fun.

[@ZoTrAcK]

I don't see any controversy to this story. Just random internet commenters who speculate and judge. And I don't find those photos where they find her and showing joy silly at all... imo they're genuine and epic!

[@SilentThundersnow]

It showed exactly how I would feel if I found someone after 17 days. It showed their humanity and joy. It was beautiful

[@r8edrv4fun65]

Kyle likes to do that.

[@aazhie]

Calling it a spiritual experience, when S&R teams regularly die trying to save lost hikers, is pretty ignorant and makes her look a bit rude. I do think getting lost and trying to save yourself can be something that develops character, but the reality is that searchers spend a lot of time risking life and limb to bring some very thoughtless people home. I always appreciate seeing more mindfulness from a person who is claiming to be super spiritual and enlightened that they messed up and their rescuers could have died trying to save them. I suppose, to some (myself included), the statement she made makes it sound like "I didn't do anything wrong, it was a spiritual experience" and that rubs me wrong. In the same way that some people think "God works in mysterious ways" is supposed to make up for children dying horrible deaths. Would it be great if we could say everything has meaning? Sure! I usually like to lean into that myself, but there is a lot of senseless loss and unfortunate things and sometimes the beat way to handle it is admit you messed up, or that you're sorry. You can even call it a spiritual experience, but also say "I really got lost by making several bad decisions and I have been humbled" which just seems to be a bit more accurate, and makes it sound like she isn't trying to save herself from being embarrassed by her many incorrect choices.

[@CrackheadHuntersDopeDealer]

People need to learn the definition of the word "judge."

[@jamiejohnson7199]

Same!!!

[@jaimiejust7365]

I can see her legs in the rescue pictures. She looks hours away from septic shock. Very amazing rescue and survival story! I’m sure it WAS spiritual boot camp for her!

[@kateapple1]

Are you a nurse or a doctor? 😂 🙄

[@kateapple1]

I’m sorry I call BS 😅 what pictures? there’s one after she was found (with her in Jeans) sitting on the ground where exactly did you see sepsis

[@loyalfish2761]

@@kateapple1 Try Google. Multiple pictures of her rescue let you clearly see her legs and, although I'm no nurse, they looked really messed up.

[@suswalk2880]

Septic shock, eh? Yeah I don't think you know.

[@ngonz89]

@@kateapple1there’s one where she has significant edema on her lower legs and she has sores too. At 16:38

[@lynnfaulkner2706]

As someone who went through the same experience as Amanda, although, thankfully, for only a fraction of the time she was lost, her account is wholly believable to me. I too was an experienced hiker, and went off on a "short hike" leaving all of my gear behind at the campsite. At some point i realized i was on animal tracks, not the trail. Trying to retrace my steps proved the old adage about walking around in a circle. I too consider my dark night of the soul as the most profoundly spiritual of my life, and it continues to inform me many decades later. When someone has come close to death, it is very likely to change a person's life forever - and nearly always in a positive way.

[@jenniferg6818]

so are you saying when you were lost was DNS?

[@karenneill9109]

I’m not sure my conversations with death were a positive experience for me. Perhaps in a survival situation it’s different than in a medical situation. My conversations left me deeply traumatized, and haven’t led to me appreciating my life any more- I already really valued it.

[@fullonsociopath]

Everybody knows a woo woo person like this. Doesn't mean she was looking to gain something from the situation. She just comes off, kind of, spacey. And really, she may have just been trying to put such an ordeal into the best possible light. Silver linings, and all that. How are you supposed to conduct interviews after two weeks and more in the wild?

[@easygoer1234]

That's what I think also. I think she's just flakey and a little out there. For every bad decision there's usually a bad consequence.

[@URsooomad8613]

Nah, don't speak for everyone. We don't all know somebody who fakes disappearances.

[@billlansdell7225]

With all this talk of her feelings and spiritual nonsense, there is no mystery here. She's an idiot. She's the type that eaten by bears or beheaded by extremists, because their feelings tell them they are safe as long as they project love.

[@annafields6584]

I think she was just trying to put a positive spin on the ordeal with her ‘spiritual boot camp’ comment. People read too much into everything.

[@michelle4595]

@@URsooomad8613 did she fake her exposure and broken leg too? or are you suggesting she broke her own leg to add to the story, you're as mad as your name suggests

[@romy4593]

I run a hiking group on Facebook for my late twin, she was an avid hiker. Number one, never hike alone! There is no reason to and if you get hurt or fall?? You have someone who can help you and vice versa. Taking a phone/satellite phone, water and even dehydrated fruits/nuts....always have food and water! There may be someone you come across you can help if not yourself! My sister began carrying extra water which she gave out before!! She saw a young man struggling to make it back and he had no water..he was very grateful she had some for him. I also recommend a good multi tool and a pocketknife.... Look at the actor who died on Mt Baldy! He was very experienced but brought nothing on his hike and didn't dress warmly in cold weather...they found his body months later...Rest in Peace Julian Sands.

[@Bard_Land]

Dippy hippies always get a bad rep in the court of public opinion, but her story seems credible. Just shows how easy it is to get badly lost.

[@78twood]

Definitely!! I can’t imagine doing THAT on purpose

[@808matson]

Your on an island, walk down hill

[@noyopacific]

It sounds like her "spiritual journey" may have been about finding ways to justify and deny her terrible judgment. Who thinks if this happened to someone who wasn't an attractive, young, white woman the story would have gotten so much attention? I hope she discovered that her intuition and spirits are not to be relied on.

[@janefreeman995]

​@808matson at about the same time and place a local guy got lost and didn't make it.

[@jablanbukvovski]

it's also hard to get lost badly on maui

[@LOL_Whut]

She’s like almost every resident of Vermont or Asheville, NC…Hippie tree-hugger, bear cuddler, cosmic life coach, always on a journey of self reflection, etc. If you know someone like this, her statements make perfect sense. She just got lost and got very lucky she made it out alive. Kudos to her rescuers and all those on the search teams. There will always be people (especially online) that look for the worst in people and try to make everything more complicated than it really is. Hope she’s doing well and has learned to carry a map and compass at least.

[@joanndaprile9076]

Best comment!

[@sarahlewisphoenix4951]

As someone who lives around/in Asheville, NC I completely understood her comments too. lol

[@themobseat]

If you watch professional survivalist Les Stroud (Survivorman) he regularly says the average person will die in a 7-10 days without food.

[@davidbiagi2932]

What does that have to do with anything? It’s pretty well known that that’s roughly the amount of time a human can go with NO FOOD (or water), but she had a constant water source and she ate enough plants and bugs/moths to do enough to help her survive longer. Let’s not forget we literally have vegans that eat nothing but plants and have no problem surviving.

[@Zzyzzyx]

Excuse me, most Vermonters aren't hippies, but are quite practical 😤

[@DonaldSanders-hb2qg]

I lived in Colorado for 35 years and was always hiking in the mountains both on and off trails, I never had a cell phone, no service there and never got lost in the mountains, i did carry a compass and always carried supplies for over night and extra food and water, I really liked being alone and depending on just me.

[@Lopyj]

I do not think that her remarks were somehow not aproriate. What's so bad about "spiritual bootcamp"? She just explained how she felt in all those days she got lost. I do not see here any offense. She seems to be a bit of an "esoterical" person - I know these people, usually very nice, sometimes a bit dreamy... and obviously she did not "panic" too much, but was trusting in nature and herself. Maybe this is why she survived in the end.

[@lilithstribe]

Agreed. I found that noble and a very healthy way to frame a very intense experience.

[@Lucy-mf5gk]

More closed minded people judged her

[@marievaleur7877]

I agree

[@aazhie]

She survived because she was in the tropics without too many deadly animals and plants. Hawaii is relatively safe compared to places with lots more venemous critters. The boars can be scary, but they aren't Jaguars!

[@TheCriminalViolin]

@@aazhie The tropics usually are the most deadly places in the world, namely because of the heat, humidity and the dangerous, venomous animals, like snakes, and the various bugs and arachnids. Also because of the first two, they're also home to some of the world's more deadly bug born diseases. There's also a lot more toxic plants and fruits in the tropics than anywhere else on earth. A lot more edible ones, but that literally means a lot more toxic ones. Also the plants often have a lot more offensive defenses than elsewhere.

[@lisajohnson6296]

I don’t understand why people wouldn’t believe this, it happens quite frequently, even to avid hikers in areas they’re familiar with. There are tons of stories like this one. It’s very easy to get lost. Taking a nap on a tree is not unusual for nature lovers either.

[@muddydog6605]

Thank you! I found that a really weird thing to question. Guess not everyone that walks in nature is connected to it.

[@gracehchang1233]

this is the second video I watched and i subscribed after i watched the first. I was thinking " why haven't I seen this channel yet?!" anyway, you're awesome, you have integrity and love the way you present yourself and those in your videos.

[@louhortonsculpture]

Her following her heart down animal trials to get lost reminds me of fairy lore, they entice you to get lost in the woods. Makes sense that some people would describe their experiences in such a way that would lead to such myths.

[@NaeNaeCurtin]

This young lady is just a throwback to the hippie generation!! She overstepped her knowledge of hiking and the wilderness. I really think she is blessed! Look at the joy in the faces of her rescuers!! I believe!

[@raymondbrown940]

I'm 62 and I've been hiking my whole life. Back when there weren't cell phones, I would frequently hike the Rockies alone, staying out for 2-3 days at a time. But, today, while there may be some short trails I would take without a cell phone, I really don't go anywhere without it. A lighter, a pocket knife, a cell phone, and some water. Those are the basics for survival. If you want to throw in some 550 cord, a compass, a reflective blanket, and make sure you're dressed to handle any weather, all the better. But, hiking without that stuff isn't crazy. It's just a bad idea. The most important thing is to always let someone know where you're going and when you expect to return. I think her story is legit and I'm really glad she was found safe and sound.

[@raymondbrown940]

@ArshAZ83 Yep. You're absolutely right. I've got a 'special set of skills". So, in most situations with most people, I'm perfectly safe. But, there's never a guarantee. So, maybe I should add a gun to that inventory, especially since I'm certainly not in my prime anymore.

[@gnarbeljo8980]

I'm 56 and 100% agree with you.

[@Lkpriest]

I've hiked that trail a few times. It is easy to get turned around and lose track of the trail of you are not paying attention and follow an animal path. Flash floods and my wild boar are no joke and I'm just thankful she is back safe. That area has no roads really, it's like the road goes up and that's it. Sending aloha to rescuers and those who donated resources to bring her home safe.

[@johncalliope197]

Pretty sure that first clip was some broccoli.

[@letsgetmetaphysical4662]

😂hahah 🥦!

[@KyleHatesHiking]

😂

[@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling]

😂😂😂

[@nutty77]

nom nom

[@pickford3152]

Thought the same thing.😂 way to green n broccolish

[@tomfoolery333]

Last time I was on Maui about 10 years ago I went for a hike in the Makawao Forest Reserve. I got dropped off for the day by my wife who went to see her sister in town. I had been in Kihei so I did not bring a rain jacket. All I had was a water bottle and cell phone to take some pictures, my shoes and shorts and a t-shirt and a mental picture of the map I looked at before I went. Planned to do a loop on a marked, well traveled trail and be out in three or four hours. It started raining and getting colder (I had been at the beach but Makawao is around 3,000 feet in elevation, so much colder). I was getting wet and cold. I took off my t-shirt and started jogging to stay warm. That went on for an hour or so. It rained on and off all day. I never got too cold, but it was definitely a concern. I ended up getting to the parking lot and meeting my wife at the appointed time. I was definitely glad to be no worse for the wear and enjoyed that forest immensely. I tend to hike without a cell phone or a map a lot. This video has me re-thinking that. I always think it won't happen to me, even though I know better. Hiking in the Rocky Mountains a lot, I have had a couple of hairy situations. Time to invest in a emergency beacon and be more serious about making sure I have a map of the area when I head out. Be safe everyone. Most people die of hypothermia at 50 degrees F, mostly because they are not prepared, the weather changes and they get wet and things spiral out of control very quickly. I am glad this woman was able to stay alive and they found her. Amazing to keep herself alive for 17 days with those injuries and lost in that place. Hawaiian jungles are no picnic. Very intense places.

[@borleyboo5613]

A couple of years ago, me, a friend and friend’s young daughter went for a walk and a picnic in a wood just outside Norwich, England. It’s not a large wood compared to woods anywhere in America. But we got lost. It was frustrating and a little alarming. We kept going around in circles for a good hour, but eventually, we found our way out thanks to my friends eight year old daughter who remembered some landmark or other. So it’s so easy to get lost or become disoriented even in small areas. And it is quite scary. Thankfully, this young woman was found. But I can well understand how she became lost.

[@GeeEee75]

Ha ha, I remember my neice when she was a kid having a way better sense of direction than either me or her mother.😂

[@KidarWolf]

I've been lucky to never get lost out in the wilderness, but as someone who also lives not too far from Norwich, I hope the experience taught you the importance of making sure you have a map with you and know how to navigate using landmarks and your map - living as near to Thetford Forest as you do, please, if you go there, take a map and compass with you. Thetford is massive, and large expanses of it are very densely forested, interspersed with large military areas that are unsafe to navigate through (I've been out in some of them on training exercises), and to be brutally honest, Thetford Forest due to being mostly dense pine is not particularly friendly to your survival, particularly if the weather takes a bad turn - it is absolutely miserable in Thetford in the rain, and exposure and hypothermia are big risks to your survival. Always carry rain gear with you around Thetford Forest, even if it's just a lightweight folding slicker - it could make the difference between life and death if you do get caught out in the rain there.

[@kimfleury]

There's a woods near my hometown on Lake Huron, north of Detroit. The woods is on the main route that goes around the state of Michigan, an old military trail, native American hunting trail, and the main trail made by animals. Now it's a two-lane highway to cottage country. There are farms on the backside of the woods, and vacation mansions on the front side, but across the highway. One end is bordered by non-farm housing, and the other end forms part of the state park picnic grounds, on the other side of which is a village. It's seemingly small, but my Dad, may he rest in peace, always told us not to go exploring in those woods, because you can get lost and never make it out. Your body might not be found for years, if at all. It seems strange to me that there is such a place as that so near the large urban center of Detroit, Michigan, and Port Huron, Michigan. Both of my parents grew up on farms south of the woods, and actually spent a great deal of time harvesting produce to sell at the local markets, back in the days when any school kid could sell the berries and nuts to the local grocer without needing health permits or child labor papers. At one time the woods stretched all that distance, only broken up by market roads and some farms along the roads. Nowadays you can drive the stretch of woods along the highway in just a few minutes. And yet if someone decided to take a walk through those woods, they could get hopelessly lost.

[@bobbihoffman8452]

They were all smiling because it was so awesome that they found her.

[@GoVoteDemocracy]

I can’t imagine going through what she went through. Sometimes going through a traumatic situation changes you spiritually.

[@CatherineRhoadsNC144]

I've spent a lot of time in the woods, and it is unbelievably easy to get turned around. And with a busted leg? Much respect to her for keeping her cool and never giving up. Grew up without tech and survived!

[@DisasterAstor]

I think, perhaps, something that might have been appropriate to point out is that the media also made a lot of choices during that time and some of those choices reported on the story in a very predatory way. The aftermath happened in an ecosystem that wasn’t controlled by Amanda but that people wanted her to account for nonetheless.

[@lilithstribe]

💯

[@Leve.Palestina.Viva.Palestina]

So well articulated.

[@hawaiingecko]

Chris Berquist is a brilliant guy, the team that he worked and continues to work with is amazing. I met him on a different search and rescue situation on the Big Island

[@noahcwb]

Anyone who says that you can't fall asleep on a log has not been on a hike in the rainforest! those fallen trees look comfy as a couch even during a short hike, all covered in moss looking like a rich guys avant-garde bench.

[@kennyobrien]

Exactly. Half the fun of hiking is finding a nice place for a nap.

[@lilithstribe]

Totally! I was hiking near Lake Quinault on the Olympic Peninsula a few years back and felt like I crawled into the sweetest Grandmothers lap and could rest like a baby.

[@kennyobrien]

OMG, backpacking up the Quinault's north fork to Wolf Bar Camp is where we would go nap on a giant bed of moss right next to the river! @@lilithstribe

[@bucky716]

"..controversial in discussions online.." is an indication to stop there. The story remains similar to others, we often hike/wander in the woods to unplug and get away. Still carry something just in case! Nothing wrong with powering off a phone or satellite device and putting it in a pocket.

[@teresacatlett4974]

Thank you. Every single person involved in this happy ending. Thank you. You did good.

[@noondayfair]

People deal with trauma in all different ways. Some people try to look at the bright side of what they've been through, which she seemed to be doing. Why do some insist on dragging others through the mud whenever they don't react the way they expect during interviews? Also, she's a yoga instructor, a job virtually synonymous with mindfulness, positivity and peace, so when she called it a "spiritual bootcamp," it shouldn't have been that shocking.

[@kimberlypuravida5690]

Exactly what I thought, these crazy conspiracy people obvious and NO time with yogies. We have a lot in CR and everything is a spiritual something or other. 😂

[@URsooomad8613]

Yoga Instructor isn't a real job, she was just an attention seeking ditz that cost taxpayers likely hundreds of thousands of dollars. She has mental health issues and needs help.

[@realeyesrealizereallies6828]

That lady was on deaths door, of course she made several horrible mistakes that I'm sure she is aware of, and almost dying is a spiritual bootcamp...People on line are silly, thousands and thousands and thousands of people die lost in jungles and forests...There is no "weirdness", a knucklehead(ignorant) women got lost in the forest..We are all knucklehead's(ignorant) when it comes to one aspect of life or another..Some people are just addicted to drama, and causing drama..Life has enough drama, we don't need extra doses..

[@RandyBaumery-s4i]

True enough. Yet, there are other case which defy all rational explanation.

[@sdemosi]

There is nothing "suspicious" about this. The woman comes across as dopey. Suggesting otherwise just feels like clickbait.

[@RandyBaumery-s4i]

@@sdemosi yeah in THIS case, she seems as though she should never hike alone.

[@indybob770]

Dumb people due dumb things. She need to be held accountable for her actions. PAY $$$$ for the rescue.

[@RandyBaumery-s4i]

@@indybob770 do

[@herbieburbie]

She should be on "i shouldn't be alive" I love that show. I'm sure by now they have plenty of content to do a reboot. I've seen many scenarios on those shows where people get lost just a few miles in the woods or jungle and go around in circles expecially in the jungle. They also get hallucinations from dehydration, stavation and wild plants.

[@erichobbs4042]

Leaving your phone, keys, wallet behind and not bringing any food or at least water feels pretty reckless. As this case shows, it's easy to get turned around in dense forests and if you wind up wandering around in circles, it doesn't matter if it's only two miles to the nearest road.

[@villagelightsmith4375]

If it's 50 feet, but vertical, you are in a very remote situation.

[@leoniea138]

Like she did it on purpose . Who leaves the important stuff behind when a forest is not the nr 1 safest place in the world ...

[@joywebster2678]

Dreamy hippies and serious hikers need to carry PLBs on "walks" to hikes. Therexare ones without Pais subscriptions that seng your location to satellites.

[@standdownrobots_ihaveoldglory]

Reckless = evil selfishness in the wilderness. I have no sympathy, my tax dollars get wasted extravagantly every year due to these fools. We need to be meaner, actually, people are not learning. Better to keep people alive than to coddle them over their very, very stupid and selfish decisions. We all benefit by treating unprepared disaster seekers as they deserve - with judgment and scorn. They did a bad thing, ignored loads of info, and should be held accountable. And charged the rescue costs. Not so cutesy when you have to pay for it, is it?

[@davidbiagi2932]

Pretty sure she did leave her cell and water on purpose though…. She didn’t want any electronic devices while she was out in nature and she planned on a short hike/run so she didn’t expect to need her water and didn’t want to have to try running while carrying a water bottle, nobody runs and holds a water bottle. Some people aren’t big on electronics like cell phones, especially when they are out in nature, that’s just the type of person they are. If you are planning on a long hike then ofcourse, take proper equipment, but for a short hike there is no reason to need your cell phone. Thats just another thing she would have to carry as well in her hand and having to carry two things while trying to enjoy nature would just be annoying on a short hike.

[@mattwilhelm8860]

I would offer that, if you were lost in the woods for 17 days and facing the possibility you may die out there, you’d consider it a spiritual boot camp as well. She made mistakes…cut her a break.

[@SavingSoulsMinistries]

i was hiking in the woods behind my house and there is only like 5 different trails the longest of which only go 4 miles straight through a wooded section until civilization on the other side. I was watching my neighbors dog when i first moved in and told them i would take the dog on the hiking trail.. i never traveled deep into the woods and i didnt intend on doing so that day. but i took a trail i never took and ended up over an hour away from my destination and there was no cell service. the trails split in a few locations and they connect to other trails which i had no idea about. i knew if i kept walking forward it was only a matter of time until i came out the other side somewhere.. but i turned around after half an hour and somehow got more lost than intended! luckily my phone was full battery and i walked until i had a signal.. i cant imagine being deep in truly expansive wilderness.. much less without a cell phone or anyting

[@karenneill9109]

Yeah. She’s clearly not a highly logical, more of a spiritual person. Doesn’t mean she wasn’t genuinely lost and in need of help.

[@Nocturnalux]

I wouldn’t, it’s just woo woo.

[@idw9159]

well done javier and the rescuers.. thanks for your dedicated service to complete strangers like amanda who just needed help

[@WayneTheSeine]

Amazing story of survival and I think she should get a huge amount of credit for that, regardless of the foolish choices she made.

[@standdownrobots_ihaveoldglory]

Honestly, I'd like to see her at least fined. This intentional stupidity isn't cute when other people have to pay money because she chose to be reckless and outrageously dumb (you bring your phone or deserve what you get). I am not a mean person overall, but my compassion is gone after living in Montana. These morons abuse our wilderness & endanger rescuers & burn money like crazy. I'm done caring about people who shit on logic and the pro science people who save them. They are the worst humans.

[@davidbiagi2932]

Sooo, you’re saying it should be illegal to NOT carry your cell phone with you? Does this also go for when you’re driving and get lost? What if I left it at home on accident? Should I still be charged? I’d say someone going through 17 days of hell is fine enough for “punishment” for not taking their cell phone. But for you to say someone should HAVE TO take their cell phone when they just want to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature without any of today’s technology is fucking ridiculous. Also, nobody was forced to pay anything to help, they CHOSE to do that. The search and rescue teams also literally have that job for a reason, BECAUSE THEY FUCKING LOVE THAT TYPE OF SHIT! Not saying they love people getting lost and potentially not making it out alive, but they love being part of the team that goes out and has to try and find these missing people. Just like some love the military and fighting for their country. You should be fined for saying such a ridiculous comment 🤣🤦‍♂️

[@WayneTheSeine]

@@davidbiagi2932 No, it shouldn't be "illegal" David. But foolish actions have serious consequences that cost tax payers millions of dollars. Why should a tax payer have to pay for your foolishness? Furthermore, more states are starting to charge the foolish for their rescue, California, Idaho, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Utah, for instance. Hikers who are unprepared in New Hampshire risk being stuck with the bill, along with facing criminal charges. You are apparently a man, I assume, so I do understand the proclivity of not stopping and asking for directions if you get lost "while driving." I am guilty of the same....it is a meme. However, in the event you drive around for four days, trying to find your way, and are on the verge of dying of thirst, I am sure you will eventually swallow your pride and stop at a convenience store, Lowe's, Home Depot or maybe a Goodwill store and ask for directions. As for wanting to leave your phone so you can enjoy the peace and quite of the outdoors without your phone ringing, Google how to turn Off and On your phone. Some only require the push of one button but others you might have to hold down two buttons and do a swipe, quite complicated, I know. To say that rescuers simply love rescuing keep in mind that the average out-of-pocket expense for them is $1,600. I doubt they get their jollies with that. The bottomline is, act responsibly and know that your actions have consequences for you and for others. If you want to frolic in the mountains untethered by technology and oblivious or uncaring of the financial cost to others at least have the common courtesy and decency to buy SAR Insurance.....it only cost $3.00 a year. Peace out.

[@danielhamilton6958]

⁠@@WayneTheSeine How many trillions of taxpayer dollars are spent on the military, social security, or corporate subsidies? I’m alright with a few million being spent on rescuing people lost in the woods. Even if some of them were dumb/irresponsible, which not all are, it’s really gotta be a tiny portion of total government spending. I agree that people need to be more responsible- I just think it’s hard to define how at fault someone is if they got lost in the woods. It could happen to practically anyone, even those who do know what they are doing and come prepared go missing sometimes too. Imagine just barely surviving the worst ordeal of your life- and then getting slapped with a fat bill on top of that. Of course people should be more responsible, but people seldom see something like this happening to them until it does. Especially if you are in an area that you are familiar with, you are more likely to let your guard down.

[@WayneTheSeine]

@@danielhamilton6958 Yea, I have no problem with her not being fined but if she were I would fully understand. It is not just about govt. money. Volunteers spend an average of $1,600 out-of-pocket to help and assist, not to mention the danger that rescues place on everyone involved. This particular case is pretty aggregious considering all facts. She was not a child or a foolish teen....she consciously threw fate to the wind as if it added to the adventure.

[@patriciasampson5268]

I think she genuinely got lost. Going on this video she seems to be a very spiritual person and this is what I think she was trying to convey after she was rescued. People are always looking for the bad, or trying to poke holes in things. She survived and was rescued thank God, she could have died and it was her “ spirit “ that got her through.

[@collinsfriend1]

One thing people sometimes don't realize.. is that while hiking there could be a fork and they are on one of the tines and miss entirely the other one running parallel to them, but trees and brush conceal the point of bifurcation. Then when they turn around and go back they are faced suddenly with a left and right trail to take... Which one were they on to start with? This happened to us and happily it was in the pigmy forest on the Mendocino Coast. So it was easy to get out but a LESSON- look back. Often. Never assume there's no forks.

[@mtadams2009]

I don’t find her story that weird at all. I hiked for decades without a cell phone or in reach and I completely understand why she does not like them. I too sometimes take small naps in the forest. I never thought it was that strange of thing. What is strange is the way most people live, with their head down and clued to their phone or doing crazy shit because they have an in reach. I am glad this had a happy ending. It goes without saying she rolls to a different drum and I am sure that makes her a very interesting and fun person to be around.

[@lilithstribe]

Ditto.

[@newmexicosky6938]

For safety sake, simply turn your phone or GPS device off. But take it with you.

[@silverdale3207]

Agree, I grew up tramping before cell phones or GPS was invented so understand , but in this day and age if you have a small safety device available why would you not just carry it , you can just turn it off to avoid distractions. Also off topic, if I had a girlfriend that sometimes didn't bother to come home and didn't at least text to say she was safe I'd be looking for a better girlfriend.

[@Mariateresa-mu3yr]

Yes, I didn't find anything "strange" in the whole ordeal. If someone is used to doing meditation is not uncommon to sit or lay down on nature and maybe fall sleep. Glad she was rescued. Her guiding spirits weren't that off.

[@lissu7462]

​@@Mariateresa-mu3yrHer "guiding spirits " tried to kill her but God had mercy on her . I believe she prayed .

[@yvetteroberts3147]

Give this poor woman a break. Easy for other people who were safe and warm to blab, blab, why, why, why.

[@MAGATamara]

I could get lost walking to the corner store. So I feel for her. But then, again, I also would not attempt to go somewhere alone without street signs, even if I had GPS! I would’ve been happy as well Amanda, smile girl you were found!

[@bronsiee]

After all the missing hiker stories I've heard on your channel, this one definitely seems within the realm of possibility. Anything is possible out in the wilderness.

[@FatRescueSwimmer04]

Ngl got some tears out of me on this one, there is nothing more rewarding in this life than saving another human from certain Death... so I feel for those guys who spotted her from the Helicopter bet that was a great day! Sadly on the flip-side when you don't find someone in time (or ever) especially when your a Professional it hurts knowing you failed them. Can't save them all though 😞

[@CrackheadHuntersDopeDealer]

Stop it!

[@standdownrobots_ihaveoldglory]

Search & rescue folks do feel pain when they can't save people, but they live in a very real life or death natural world, and they do often see people whose own decisions landed them in trouble, and it is the natural order of things. It's sad but not devastating in many cases. There's not unlimited "saves" in the wilderness and too many people enter who should not be there. Be prepared or be dead is not an exaggeration. And compassion fatigue can set in when people seem to eagerly ignore info and do stupid, stupid things, expecting someone else will fix it. And the morons waste our money like they personally hate us all

[@sabiebabie103]

Shout out to all search and rescue workers 🎉🏆 ❤ y’all do/did an outstanding job and save lives!

[@gwengwen4535]

I just think she’s kind of naive yet also has a positive outlook. She’s just poetic and hippie dippie. Glad she’s ok😅

[@johncalliope197]

Lost my leg below the knee a year a go next week. Had my prosthetic about four months now. Hoping to do the MD section of the AT this coming summer.

[@jackgardner2514]

Get after it!

[@KyleHatesHiking]

best of luck!!

[@jeffk464]

I've been hiking with a fused ankle. Just got to keep getting out and about as long as possible.

[@kingmary2268]

I wish you the best

[@tatata1543]

Good luck, go for it!

[@DreamingCatStudio]

I lived on Maui for 2 years on a property that backed up into a National forest. It wasn’t just “like a jungle” it WAS a jungle. There are gorges, valleys, rock out-croppings, huge amounts of vines covering everything, fallen trees, streams, and often times so much overhead foliage you don’t see much sky. Totally possible to become boxed into impassable areas. You’re climbing over and through jungle. There are no paths. Try to hike through that when you’ve lost your direction and then come back and comment.

[@WatcherOfHorror]

Hahahaha you've never been in actual bush buddy. The square kilometers don't change. How someone could get lost for 2 weeks in a reserve that size is embarrassing

[@LesterSmooth]

@@WatcherOfHorror And all she had to do was head South and down hill where there literally is no jungle and many roads and towns. She chose to go the way she went. And what a coincidence she is found right above twins falls, the most crowded spot before Hana. And she doesnt even look that bad for 17 DAYS alone with NOTHING. I guess she fought off boars and ate guavas too. Oh yeah, she also survived a flash flood by staying in the flooded river(?) People are so gullible.

[@DatPeteBoi]

@@LesterSmoothlol another "I know exactly everything" type comment XD.

[@LesterSmooth]

@@DatPeteBoi What do you know about the case smart guy? Comments like this belong at the kids table while the actual adults talk.

[@gnarbeljo8980]

​@@WatcherOfHorror when where you off trail and lost in the bush, with a fractured ankle, ruptured meniscus and no shoes without food last? What a foolish and disprespecyful comment. The fact she survived that long under those circumstances in an area the above resucuer in the comment section says was incredibly difficult and with no trails or roads intersecting, is really a testament to a strength of positive mindset guys like you get super triggered by. It's always the tough techy outdoorsy dudes who go off about stories like this. Bc without your gear, in like circumstances you'd be scared sh*tless.

[@78twood]

One thing I’ve learned from watching all these missing hiker videos is, ALWAYS carry a lighter to make a signal fire ! I don’t think the pictures are “ silly”!! After 17 days?! C’mon man!! She looks like she went through hell !!

[@KyleHatesHiking]

fair enough!

[@dorothyjerde8604]

A lighter to make a signal fire. Really? You're going to light a fire in the middle of a forest with no water to contain it? Sure hope you don't ever get lost in a forest!! Think a bit more will you? Please

[@strathack33]

@dorthyjerde, Why don’t you watch the video genius ! The woman was near an unlimited supply of water nearly the whole time. A lighter for a signal fire and warmth (yeah, I know it was Maui), would have GREATLY benefitted her. “Think a bit more will you?”

[@davidbiagi2932]

I mean, that’s exactly how this one couple got out of a for sure death sentence when they got trapped after jumping down a small ledge that had no way back up thinking the trail would just continue down but it instead went straight into a couple hundred foot cliff (where a hiker a year before had made the same mistake and lost his life for it) and only because they happened to find a few matches he had left behind and decided to start a big ass fire that burnt down a shitload if forest was the only reason they were able to be found. The rescue team said had it not been for that they never would have even looked in the area they were in because it was so far off of their last known location. So yes, in a life and death situation, I’d 100% start a big ass fire. I’m either going to get saved because of it or die. You would do the exact same thing as well in that situation and don’t say you wouldn’t.

[@78twood]

@@davidbiagi2932 I would lol

[@michellegoodwin7760]

I think there's nothing wrong with wanting to make a traumatic event into something beautiful, spiritual, and profound. I've done this with many hardships in my life. There can be so much healing and growth in suffering. We don't need to shame her. This was part of her journey and she lived. Also there was a time before cell phones not too long ago and I think life was probably simpler and more joyful then. I understand wanting to leave it behind. We shouldn't dim our existence with technology by living in fear.

[@TheRisky9]

For her, it's probably a coping mechanism. I mean, what else do people want her to do? Be traumatized and broken and needing months of therapy? I'm glad to see she didn't completely lose herself in this ordeal.

[@MoneyStrategiesSOULutions]

True

[@scoobydadog246]

It was totally appropriate. People are fools. Especially the guy making the video.. I could hardly stand it.. but suffered to learn of the ending. It was NOT a spiritual experience. First and last time I'll watch this channel.

[@ms-jl6dl]

She did great and is stronger than most men. God bless her.

[@kbee1735]

I left a logging road and took a small trail one day behind our acreage and got lost! Couldn’t see the road over the ferns and never had that feeling of being lost before… I was 61 years old then. By the grace of God I kept a level head and got back to the small path and thus the logging road. (No cell phones then) I can believe this brave woman and have so much respect for her. 🤗🥰🇨🇦

[@Travelling_with_my_dog]

she looks very emaciated; can't believe she'd look that way if she'd hid out at someone's house

[@KyleHatesHiking]

agreed

[@jablanbukvovski]

emaciated as opposed to what?

[@jacksquat4140]

Christian Bale lost an incredible amount of weight for a movie. People do this for a living and it's often deliberate. If she was after money, this is a small price to pay.

[@tara_ble1705]

We can look at the case of Sherri Papini and question a lot of things. She was allegedly “kidnapped”, lost massive weight and was even branded, then blindfolded and set out on the side of the highway. I mean, who tH does something like that?!? Then we find out it was her planning her escape from her marriage, but then changed her mind. I mainly brought up this case because since the truth has came out about the nut case I named above, now anyone whose story seems “a little off”, is called a liar or it’s said they perpetrated a hoax. However, I am not disagreeing with you. I truly believe this lady wanted to get outside and take a little hike/jog and made a series of terrible mistakes. I’m just glad she was able to survive.

[@FabricofTime]

@@jacksquat4140 he did that with the help of professionals so that he didn't permanently harm himself, and it's STILL not a very safe thing to do. And he didn't do it over twelve days; he did it over four months, which is a very different proposition.

[@edeasley144]

I'm struggling to get in the headspace of the folks criticizing her. Don't get me wrong, having supplies and her phone would probably have been very helpful, but some people go out to nature specifically to unplug. A near death experience probably does count as a spiritual boot camp. It's exactly the kind of experience that makes a person consider the world around them and their place in it. Adult humans rarely genuinely change, and a near death experience is one of the few experiences that routinely makes people change. It really seems like people are just looking for a reason to be upset and folks with a laissez-faire approach to life make a convenient outlet for that urge.

[@sarahbell8886]

I'm not criticizing her for getting lost , it happens. You can want to unplug and still bring a phone for safety, especially if you're out in nature. You could trip over a tree root or even your own shoe string and not be able to make it back to safety. You can be a free spirit and still be safe . Especially in an area with cliffs , frequent flash flooding , wild animals, etc . It's not as safe of an area as people think .

[@newmexicosky6938]

You can always turn the phone off! But still take it with you.

[@sandpiperr]

You can unplug without being foolish. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad she's alright, I don't think this was a hoax, and I wouldn't have wanted anything worse to happen to her. But I do think it's fair to point out that, in this day and age, this situation was completely avoidable with just some better decision making. If you want to unplug, just turn the phone off. Or, if you're so addicted to your phone that you can't have it on you without being on it, buy an emergency beacon. You won't be tempted to check Instagram, but, if the worst should happen and you find yourself lost and it's getting dark, you can activate it and people can find you without spending days and thousands of dollars on a search effort. Not to mention the stress on your loved ones.

[@FatRescueSwimmer04]

@@newmexicosky6938 shit or a Map + Compass at the very least. It's not that big of a place, walking in the same direction regardless of which one would of brought her to a road or people one of the two lol.

[@melikemusic753]

Exactly!

[@Michellee970]

She is a walking miracle. God bless those men for all time for saving Amanda's life.

[@Suzanne1999]

I remember this story. I think she genuinely got lost for real but was incredibly irresponsible.

[@MarkARhodie]

This is the first of me hearing about her. She sounds like a city dweller, living her dream life, with no sense of how dangerous being outdoors in nature can be. She got lucky and survived and hopefully learnt her lesson.

[@jamesbennett9620]

Hi. I just discovered your channel, and I'm already a subscriber. I want you to reach your goal. I like your format very much. You're not into gruesome, gory details and feeding peoples morbid addictions. Thank you for that. A new fan. Jim

[@diannawalker758]

I seriously doubt that a person who called her ordeal "spiritual bootcamp" would know the logical, linear choices she would need to make to get "unlost". There are processes and methods you can follow to find your way out of a situation like this. Plus, she was injured. I'd be willing to bet there was was some serious crying that happened after she fell. Worst thing she did, after deciding not to have her phone along, was not staying put.

[@sldrgrl20downzerotogo11]

Its really quite easy to fall asleep on a tree. I was in a military school while stationed in NY and on this particularly cold and very snowy day we were being tested in land navigation and had to find four of five points. I found four in no time. But, my smarty pants butt had so much time left that i wanted that fifth point. Its at that point that i f'ckd up...I should have just returned and turned in my points, as my compass froze shortly thereafter and the needle would not move. I wandered around in those woods for hours. I finally reached sheer exhaustion and sat down (in the snow) and rested against a tree, subsequently falling asleep. When i woke up there were some sort of animal tracks around me. I jumped the hell up scared as hell and continued trekking. At this point it was getting nightfall, but luckily my compass unfroze. I shot a back azimuth and finally got back to the the location where my Company had been dropped off. And guess what they were all packed up and gone! I had no cell phone, as it was 1995 and i was also in school, so I started walking down the road, in the dark, in Upstate NY with an M16 and magazine with no rounds in it 🤬. The story goes on, but I'll stop here. I just wanted to let you know that its very possible that she did fall asleep on a tree. Just because it never happed to you and it sounds crazy does not mean that it cant happen.

[@NateKennard]

I love how happy the rescuers look in the photos. They love what they do and love when they succeed! I also feel that them having a bright attitude could help lighten the situation for the person they are rescuing. Plus being rescued is exciting af, who wouldn’t be excited?

[@Dentiera]

I bring my phone with me even when I take the rubbish out... just in case the big spider "Rosa" I named her does me an Aragog. xD

[@nutty77]

see, I never take my phone with me, which is perhaps a bit short sighted of me. I don't even take it upstairs to bed

[@jeffk464]

Cell phones generally don't work in the woods. You need one of those GPS devices with the SOS feature anyways. I think maybe the new iphone has satellite emergency SOS built in.

[@jasonarthurs3885]

TBH, although the rescue photos look frivolous and even slightly silly, they're important moments where one human, isolated from all others for a prolonged period, finally has contact and salvation. With touch we impart so much information; it's an innate response to hold or embrace another human in trauma.

[@magsman448]

Happened to me and my then gf. We went for a Sunday walk on part of the well known, busy trans penine trail, nice sunny afternoon a good few groups of people around, just a quick walk no more than a hour. Reached the ridge top in no time of what could be described as foothills, half hour in not even walked far, lovely sunny day instantly turned into a low visibility wall of fog and drizzle. No problem, turn around and hot foot it to the local pub, and with that the trail we were walking turned into a maze of identical well trodden sheep tracks heading in all directions. Instant confusion and panic. Who'd a thought such a short straight forward walk could lead to such an overwhelming sense of dread! We found the way back without any hiccups, fortunately. But it just goes to show how quickly things can go from good to bad with no expectation. Take care everyone...

[@WitchOfTheWild]

Another great video! Loved your take on this story. Keep up the great work Kyle!

[@KyleHatesHiking]

Thank you so much! thanks for watching!

[@atomic432]

Glad she was found. And Kyle, you do a great job with this channel.

[@KyleHatesHiking]

thank you so much! Im glad she was found too

[@Gansettetons1024]

A lot of us are stuck in a daily routine due to bad decisions and possibly far more lost than she ever was? I donno, that was my “take home.” Good on her for trying her best to live a balanced life and she seems the type to learn from her mistakes…Great job to the team who found her.

[@cherylbarrett3443]

I make a lot of bad decisions in life, so I am not going to knock anyone else. Every single one of us may need help from others at some point, and that help should be given, regardless of the bad decisions we have made. We are all worth that.

[@a.mie.533]

This was a captivating one! Strange to me was the fact that she got so completely lost for such a long time although she obviously knew the area well. And then: After missing her with helicopters they searched for her - in the intestines of wild boars?! 😳 Omg!

[@creekfinds]

How much would it suck if you did nothing shady and were being accused relentlessly of being shady. How much more would it suck if you just wanted to resume your life in peace but had jacklegs coming at you from every side thinking they know anything about the situation.

[@angelahing8572]

I don't get the criticism and hate. She is obviously emaciated and unkempt in those photos. Also, hundreds of people get lost in wilderness areas and perish, it happens all the time. There is nothing unusual about her story, except how incredibly lucky she is. I used to spend a lot of time in the forests, and I often bushbashed. The amount of dumb things I did, I can't believe nothing bad ever happened. I never had more than my phone and a compression bandage in case of snake bite. It was only after deciding to explore a hidden ravine where I had a fall on the way down and injured my wrist and ankle and then had trouble getting back out that I became more cautious. I loved every one of my adventures in the bush. That ravine was worth it.

[@Al-S-NH]

Hiring the helicopter wasn't cheap. Kyle may earn money with this sensationalistic video, but I don't think she starved herself for financial gain. People get lost all the time.

[@villagelightsmith4375]

How much more of a drop would it have taken to leave your bones there?

[@amrielbang]

This is the first video ive seen covering this story that didnt straubht up call her a liar. Most of the time i see them say they think somethink along the lines of either drugs or that she went there, left, then came back to be found. I never really was sure what to think cause i never had enough info with what the others gave me. You gave better info and after your video and Javiers comments and some other comments i think she genuinely got lost and the little details, like if she did do drugs, or whether fell asleep on the log, etc , dont really matter. Neither do her little comments as silly as they may seem(i have a lot of friends in the spiritual community and they just spiritual stuff like that at weird times and it sounds out of pocket but they dont mean it like that.) None of those details take away from her having sxperienced something scary and life threatening out there. Im glad she made it. And i really hope if she goes hiking again she does take her cell phone. Even if she keeps it turned off in her bag and just turns it on periodically for gps.

[@Creakybits_]

I’ve watched several of your videos today alone and I’m very impressed with your in-depth background checks in these cases, the knowledge we all gain from these is immeasurably valuable. I’m from Perth, Western Australia 😊 @KyleHatesHiking

[@austriajog9247]

When people get lost and panick, desparation, hunger and thirst kick in, I believe it is easy to get turned around and even more lost. Like with cave diving, panick can kill you. I believe Amanda's story and I can see how she didn't find any roads in her desperation. She probably kept going in circles. She is so lucky to be with us :)

[@simonefeaster5131]

Wow, Kyle! Never heard a story like this one. Great work as always!

[@susystewart5139]

I appreciate how respectful you always are, Kyle in your videos. Very classy.

[@terrymedina7893]

Im so happy she was found 👏🏽👏🏽 and thank God for all the volunteers -that’s hard work, never knowing what you may find 😔but this is a happy ending 👍🏽

[@dlbstl]

Whenever I go walking by myself I always feel like it's a spiritual journey. Since she is a really spiritual person how is that not something that she would totally do? It's too bad she kept wandering and didn't stand in one place and wait to get rescued. But I think she was genuine. Best of luck to her and the SARS folks in the future.

[@chrisramsey6725]

Every hike I do (at least one a week) is a spiritual journey. The outdoors are my temple

[@AngelineRoperxoxo]

Just found you channel and im about to go on a binge watch! You'll get there with the 1M subs in no time! 😌

[@nibs8837]

"New Age" person goes hiking. It could have gone badly. She might have died. A volunteer might have gotten hurt or died. It's a miracle that, living off of plants she knew nothing about, and drinking stream water, she didn't actually kill herself. Happy ending with many heroes to thank. That said, we are each responsible for our own safety. The entire island of Maui is 727.2 square miles. I live in Canada, just outside of Algonquin Park - which is 2955 square miles. We lose remarkably few people in the Park, and find those who go missing fairly quickly - because most hikers here take the wilderness very seriously. Stay safe out there!

[@mrpink3630]

dont forget she slept...on rocks, and a "boars den"...lmao

[@EmptyMTYT]

People walking in the wilderness, especially the woods, tend to walk in circles. I think it's reasonable that until she found the stream she was just looping around the place. That's what peoples 'internal directions' or whatever she said do

[@roaldpage]

Kyle I have a tip for you on channel growth that I learned from other KZbinrs. Instead of just asking viewers to like and subscribe, one of the best ways to grow your viewership is to suggest that your viewers click another one of your videos on the side bar when their done watching the current video. Click through rate is one of the more important metrics in terms of the KZbin algorithm, because it shows that viewers want to view more of your content after finishing the current piece. Subscribing doesn't actually do that much for having your content suggested to viewers, because part of KZbin's algorithm is centered around getting viewers to watch similar content from other artists, so when a person subscribes it actually makes it less likely that your videos will show up in their feed or suggested tab, unless that subscribe is combined with a chain of click throughs which informs the algorithm that viewers really want to see more of your content specifically. Ultimately if you get enough click through the suggested tab on the side of the screen will become populated primarily with more of your own videos rather than random other related channels.

[@dennissmith1435]

Love your narration style and quality. You do an excellent job!

[@Thisismetman]

Yes he is great!

[@KyleHatesHiking]

that's so kind of you to say! thanks!