Nante Niemi survived by eating snow and hiding under a log for shelter
An eight-year-old boy lived for two days at a Michigan state park after going missing while out camping with his family. According to a BBC report, Nante Niemi survived by eating snow and hiding under a log for shelter. The boy got lost while gathering firewood near his family’s campsite in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Michigan, according to a press release from the Michigan State Police.
“They had defied the elements by taking shelter under a log, where they were eventually found,” the release said.
The boy was found at 1.30 pm on Monday and was introduced to his family. He was found in good health and two miles from his camp.
The boy told police that he “ate clear snow for hydration.”
“Many of you have asked how Nante survived in the woods. Lt. Wickstrom says the boy told them that he was covered with branches and leaves for warmth and also blanketed the log that Down there he was. He had no food but ate clear snow for hydration,” Michigan State Police said in a tweet.
News Release – State Police Lead Search Efforts for Missing 8-Year-Old Boy in Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Parkhttps://t.co/3WOkP6Pxxyhttps://t.co/v2MxVmy1B3pic.twitter.com/SwDGRfculH
— MSP Eighth District (@MSPEightthDist) May 8, 2023
It was also revealed, “He walked on a trail yesterday (Sunday) and when he ran out of trail, he thought the best thing was to just stop and wait. They offered to take him out today, but He told those who found him that he wanted to walk!”
As the BBC reports, the area is “very remote and mountainous with lots of standing water due to the time of year”. Many roads were impassable due to the amount of snow.
The team focused on an area of about 40 square miles (100 km²) in the park and eventually found the boy.