Eighty-year-old Harry Harvey got separated from his group while hiking in England Saturday. The elderly man disappeared after the group got caught in a heavy hail storm. When Harney found himself on his own he said he went to "plan B," which entailed staying safe and warm.
"Where we got separated was absolutely desolate," said Harvey, "there was no chance of putting a tent up, that's for sure. So I had to find somewhere safe. That's what I did."
The National Park website describes the Yorkshire Dales, the area where Harvey was lost, as a "rolling landscape of lush dales (valleys), windswept hills like the famous Three Peaks and vast expanses of heather-covered moors."
Over the next three days, Harvey was completely isolated. Periodically he spotted people far away but was unable to alert them.
"I used my whistle, the distress call, but to no avail," he said.
Thankfully, Harvey was well-prepared and survived without serious injury. His son said, "We know he's experienced, but not three days -- that's taking it a little to the extreme."
Harney was finally found by a wildlife photographer who noticed him waving from a distance. Rescue officers lead Harney into a pub where a press conference was about to take place as his family was organizing a search party to find him. The family members embrace in an emotional moment that was captured in a video then later posted to Facebook.
Local Inspector Mark Gee released a statement Tuesday saying, "I want to thank all the search volunteers for their time, as well as Gamekeepers, estate owners, farmers, and local residents for their help and understanding. Thanks also to the Tan Hill [Inn], who looked after the volunteers and Mr. Harvey's family."
Over 100 mountain rescue members volunteered to be involved in the search.
