Tiffany Slaton, a 27-year-old hiker from Jeffersonville, Georgia, was found alive after surviving nearly three weeks in the snowy wilderness of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. She had been reported missing on April 29, 2025, after her family lost contact with her during a solo camping trip. Despite extensive search efforts covering over 600 square miles, heavy snowfall hindered rescue operations, leading to a scale-back of the search just days before her discovery

Slaton was discovered by Christopher Gutierrez, the owner of the Vermilion Valley Resort, when he noticed signs of habitation at one of the resort’s cabins, which had been left unlocked for emergency purposes during the off-season. She had survived by foraging for food and drinking melted snow. Despite being hungry and dehydrated, she was found in otherwise good condition and was taken to a hospital for evaluation 

Authorities are eager to learn more about how she survived the extreme conditions and how she reached the remote resort. Her parents expressed immense relief and gratitude upon hearing the news, noting that Tiffany’s upbringing prepared her to face such a challenging ordeal. Slaton’s story is regarded as an extraordinary testament to her resilience and survival instincts