Hiker, 70, Found Alive After 11 Days Lost in Wilderness

Credit : Berg Family

A 70-year-old Michigan father who vanished during a solo hiking trip on a remote Lake Superior island has been found alive after a desperate week-long search.

Craig Berg, of Royal Oak, was discovered Saturday, Sept. 12, on Isle Royale suffering from injuries and hypothermia, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Despite spending days alone in the rugged wilderness, Berg was reportedly awake, alert and able to speak when rescuers reached him.

Michigan State Police troopers and fellow backpackers located Berg before a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew was called in to pull him from the island.

The dramatic rescue ended with Berg being hoisted into the helicopter and flown to Marquette Regional Airport in Gwinn, Michigan, roughly 140 miles away. Emergency crews then rushed him to a nearby hospital.

Berg had arrived at Isle Royale National Park on Aug. 27 for what was supposed to be a solo hiking adventure lasting just over a week.

He was expected to leave the island Sept. 5, but his family became alarmed after he failed to check into his hotel or board his scheduled ferry home.

His relatives had last heard from him on Sept. 2.

When Berg failed to return, his wife alerted the rest of the family and authorities launched a massive search.

His son, Evan Berg, said the family had been bracing for the worst when his stepmother suddenly sent the message they had been praying for.

“I yelled at the top of my lungs, ‘He’s alive!’” Evan told WDIV.

He said the news brought an overwhelming sense of relief after days of uncertainty.

Evan later picked his father up from the hospital and said Berg was battered but able to communicate.

“He was in rough shape, but he’s okay,” Evan told WLUC. “He’s able to speak. He asked for food and water. We’re just so grateful, and we couldn’t be more happy and relieved.”

Berg’s sister, Kim McGowan, said her brother is no stranger to the outdoors.

She described him as an experienced hiker and runner who frequently travels alone. Berg had even planned to run a race with his son just two days after he was originally supposed to return from the island.

Authorities praised the massive effort that went into finding him.

“We’re thankful that missing hiker, Craig Berg, was found alive and alert on Isle Royale,” Michigan State Police Lt. Ben Eckola said.

He credited law enforcement, regional agencies and hikers on the island for helping bring the search to a successful end.

Coast Guard officials also called the rescue a powerful example of teamwork.

“This rescue is a testament to teamwork and what can be accomplished when first responders and members of the community come together,” Senior Chief Petty Officer Wendy Janson said.

Officials have not yet revealed exactly what happened to Berg during his days alone on the island or how he became injured.

But Berg has already hinted that his ordeal was anything but ordinary.

According to his son, the 70-year-old survivor said he now has “enough stories to fill a book” about what happened during his week stranded in the wilderness.

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