Missing Hiker and Cat Found Alive Together in Rugged New Mexico Forest After Missing for 3.5 Weeks
- Posted on March 10, 2012 at 7:43pm by
Christopher Santarelli
- Print »
- Email »
(The Blaze/AP) — Snuggling in a blue sleeping bag, Margaret Page and her cat survived 3 1/2 weeks in a rugged New Mexico national forest, even though temperatures dropped below freezing nearly every night.
Family members reported her missing February 14. But for various reasons, authorities didn’t start searching for her until this week. The 41-year-old Page, who has a history of mental illness, was found Wednesday emaciated and malnourished but well-hydrated.
Relying on a creek for drinking water, Page and her cat named Miya lived on just a handful of supplies, rescue workers said Friday. The nearest town — tiny Dusty, N.M. — was 10 miles away.
“Her cat was in better shape than she was,” New Mexico State Police Search and Rescue incident commander Marc Levesque said. “Her cat was also hunting. (Page) ran out of food a while back.”
Page apparently purposefully hiked off a trail between Feb. 10 and Feb. 12. A Forest Service law enforcement agent spotted her silver Chevy passenger car on Feb. 12, but didn’t think much of it because hikers leave vehicles near trails all the time, said Lt. Robert McDonald, a spokesman for the state police.
Another Forest Service agent noticed the car on Feb. 25 but didn’t contact state police until 10 days later. Members of the Grant County Search and Rescue and other crews began the search for Page on Tuesday after her family notified state police that Page’s car had been found at a campground.
She was found the following day about a mile up the Railroad Canyon Trail in an area known as the Black Range.
The area had seen average highs reach around 60 degrees with evening lows in the 20s. It didn’t see much rain or snow, but there were some high winds.
Authorities don’t believe Page intended to stay in the forest for as long as she did when she first set up camp, and they aren’t sure what she ate after she ran out of food.
“She is an experienced backpacker,” search crew leader Dave Kuthe said. “She had adequate shoes…she just took a bag of pretzels with her.”
Also, Page’s car was towed as crews began their search mission — something Robert Matulich, a field certified member of the Dona Ana County Search and Rescue team, said was unusual. Crews sometime use vehicles to give the search dogs a scent to use, he said.
“It looks to me like somebody dropped the ball on this one,” Matulich told the Silver City Sun-News. “Why’d they tow the truck? Who towed the truck?”
Levesque said by the time Page arrived at Gila Regional Medical Center she was alert and articulate, even though she had lost about 20 to 25 pounds during the ordeal.
She checked herself out late Wednesday and spent the night in a Silver City hotel. And she’s been reunited with her cat.
Comments (24)
Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 706 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 557 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 372 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 363 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 362 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 363 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 372 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 290 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 149 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 363 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
namron52
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 10:26amPretty cool story! I had a Siamese cat one who would fetch pebbles and accompany me on walks. I never considered taking him on a true hike in a National Park, though. Cat in the wilderness? A stretch, at best. Not much good if a bear attacked, unless you had a bunch!
Report Post »Slowman101
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 8:34amGlad she’s OK. Cat was smarter than she was. A bag of pretzels? She should have been somewhat more prepared than that in case of an emergency.
Report Post »TROONORTH
Posted on March 11, 2012 at 6:08pmMy cat, ‘General Stirling Price’ prefers to camp in our RV, but would have stuck around at least until the treats ran out!!
Report Post »pavepaws
Posted on March 11, 2012 at 8:12pmGive the cat to a responsible family member or wait until Page is safely committed someplace for her own safety.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on March 11, 2012 at 5:57pmIf it was not for animals, this country would not be near as advanced as it is. Animals have helped us down through the ages in ranching, protecting us, carrying things, being companions and friends. Animals are humble and have and show love to people who no one else will. Animals are like angels with feathers or fur and some in the sea are into saving lives and playing with humans as well. Anyone who mistreats an animal has a breach in their psyche.
Report Post »knightstar
Posted on March 11, 2012 at 3:06pmBeing a cat person and knowing cat people the way I do, the companionship of this cat probably bolstered her will to survive more than once during her ordeal.
~M
Report Post »In a Bunker
Posted on March 11, 2012 at 12:31pmStop the mean postings about cats. I’m a conservative and love cats (and dogs). There are many stories where these animals have helped save our lives. They are God’s gift to us.
Report Post »Diane TX
Posted on March 11, 2012 at 6:37amThe operative word is that she is mentally ill. Just look at the reality of the situation. Taking a cat on a camping expedition. Cats eat whatever is available. Water was there for both her and her cat. The cat had the survival instinct to use the human’s body heat to keep from freezing.
Someone should have been in charge of this mentally ill woman’s welfare. I wonder who wasn’t doing their job.
Report Post »getourcountryback
Posted on March 11, 2012 at 8:10amObviously you have never had to deal with anyone who is mental. You can’t take “control” of them. The courts don’t allow it without a massive legal fight and unless they are so bad they are a danger, which is almost impossible to establish, you can’t take away their rights to do what they want. You cannot protect people from themselves or every possible scenario.
Report Post »9111315
Posted on March 11, 2012 at 10:06amUnless they are Republophrenia. Then you can take away all their rights and make them pay for your condoms.
Report Post »Roberto G. Vasquez
Posted on March 11, 2012 at 11:39amWhat? She didn’t eat the cat???
Report Post »youdidthis
Posted on March 11, 2012 at 6:11ammy cats and dogs enjoy hikes. and bike rides, have gogles for them.
Report Post »saintjock
Posted on March 11, 2012 at 3:47ami like cats too though.
Report Post »4xeverything
Posted on March 11, 2012 at 5:50amI would’ve eaten the cat. I mean since we’ll all be Chinese sooner or later anyway, why not start getting used to it. Kung Poa Kitty anyone?
Report Post »getourcountryback
Posted on March 11, 2012 at 8:12amDisgusting comment.
Report Post »MarcusFL
Posted on March 11, 2012 at 9:20am@ getourcountryback,
I agree. That was a disgusting comment.
The cat may have served as the the hunter & actually brought her food.
Report Post »BobtheMoron
Posted on March 11, 2012 at 9:32amI’m very fond of cats. They taste just like chicken only a little stringier.
Report Post »9111315
Posted on March 11, 2012 at 10:08amPost recipes or it didn’t happen.
Report Post »saintjock
Posted on March 11, 2012 at 3:46amCat people.
Report Post »father_of_10
Posted on March 11, 2012 at 1:17amWow. Lucky lady.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on March 10, 2012 at 10:22pmThe cat probably has more sense than she does. And who goes hiking with their cat anyway??? Might as well take a guinea pig for the all the good that cat would do…..
Report Post »MarcusFL
Posted on March 11, 2012 at 9:25amYou must not know cats very well. A domestic cat will bring what they have caught and bring it back to their owner.
Report Post »pavepaws
Posted on March 11, 2012 at 8:14pmMaybe it was the cat’s idea.
Report Post »martinez012577
Posted on March 10, 2012 at 10:12pmYeah, needing to tow a car in a national park should raise some red flags.
Report Post »