Man survives 63 hours lost in Arizona wilderness with 'Man vs. Wild' knowledge, faith
Arizona man survives being lost in the wilderness
Joe Sullivan, a chaperone for a Catholic teen boys retreat, found himself lost for 63 hours after getting separated from his group while hiking Fossil Creek. FOX 10's Lauren Clark details his story of survival.
Joe Sullivan, a chaperone for a Catholic teen boys retreat, found himself lost for 63 hours after getting separated from his group while hiking Fossil Creek.
What we know:
Sullivan, who relied on lessons from the television show "Man vs. Wild" to survive, followed the river, conserved energy and avoided hiking in the heat of the day. He ate prickly pears and prayed over the water he drank, saying he never got sick.
As the hours passed, Sullivan grew discouraged, seeing mirages and hearing voices. He even missed a rescue helicopter searching for him.
Joe Sullivan
"I see it and then, zoom. It's gone," he said. "I'm like, really?"
Clinging to his faith, Sullivan said he had "the best prayer in my entire life" while sleeping under the stars. Knowing his only other option was to "stay and die," he began to climb up the rocky terrain.
After falling multiple times, he finally made it to a highway Tuesday morning and was rescued by a passing driver.
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Joe Sullivan: Arizona man found safe after going missing while on retreat hike
On Saturday, Joe Sullivan went missing while on a retreat hike at Fossil Creek, and Tuesday brought some good news for those who know the man.
What's next:
Now recovering from cuts and bruises, Sullivan says the experience has left a permanent mark.
"There's a reason for this. And God has something for me ahead," he said.
Man recounts ordeal after getting lost while hiking | Full interview
After getting separated from a teen boys retreat he was chaperoning, Joe Sullivan was lost for 63 hours while hiking in Fossil Creek. Here's what we had to say about his survival.
Map of the area where Sullivan went missing