YOSEMITE,
Calif. (AP) — A well-prepared California hiker missing for six days in
the icy backcountry of Yosemite National Park was found in good health
after an extensive search, officials said.
A
helicopter crew spotted Alan Chow on Friday above Wapama Falls near the
center of the park, where overnight temperatures dipped below freezing,
the National Park Service said.
Park
Ranger Scott Gediman told San Francisco Bay Area news station KTVU-TV
that the 36-year-old Oakland resident got lost because usually
well-marked trails were covered in snow.
Chow
had done everything right to survive — he was prepared and didn't "try
to walk around and get even more lost," Gediman said.
He
"did the right thing by setting up his tent, using melted snow for
drinking water, had some food, had warm clothing and was able to stay
put," the ranger said.
Chow,
an avid outdoorsman, planned an overnight backpacking trip alone and
was last seen Feb. 17. He wasn't officially noticed as missing until
three days later when Chow didn't show up for his job at the Alameda
County Social Services Agency and a co-worker became concerned.
