A man set out for a simple hike around Lake Tahoe in the United States, but found himself disoriented as night began to fall. The air grew colder, the light started to fade, and the trails suddenly all looked the same. Desperately searching for a landmark, he then spotted some prints that made his blood run cold. They were large marks on the ground that looked very much like bear tracks.
Panicking at the thought of running into the animal, he quickly spotted an abandoned house just off the trail. He and his dog, Roxy, rushed inside and locked themselves in the bathroom, where he used his phone to call for help.
A safe haven in the dark
When the rescue team arrived on the scene a few hours later, they found the pair huddled together in the small room, cold but unharmed. The rescuers confirmed that the man and his dog were ”safe, warm, and out of the dark,” bringing an end to a situation that could have turned nasty.
A crucial safety reminder
The local authorities took the opportunity to remind people of an essential rule: if you get lost while hiking, it's best to stay put rather than trying to find your way back alone. Wandering further afield can make it harder for rescue teams to find you, and also increases the risk of falls or dangerous encounters with local wildlife.
