Stories like this do not always end as well. Men and women get lost and disoriented in the mountains, woods, and wilderness and so often we never hear from them again. Shelly Crooks is a great example how a survival lifestyle can be a true asset.

“This is a remarkable story of survival.”
Crooks had set out to do a four-day walk in the Mt Bovis area when she became disorientated and sustained a leg injury.
“She was well-equipped and has extensive bush craft knowledge, enabling her to survive for six weeks as she attempted to slowly make her way out of the bush.”
Bloom said Crooks was found by a member of the public near one of the walking tracks.
She was then picked up by the West Coast Rescue Helicopter and flown to Grey Base Hospital in Greymouth.
“[Crooks] wants to express her gratitude to the tramper who found her, and everyone involved in the search and rescue efforts to try and locate her,” Blooms aid.
In January, Shelley Crooks' father John Crooks, from Opotiki, said his daughter enjoyed tramping and hunting and was capable of living without electricity.
“We've always been outdoor people ourselves, hunting, fishing, Shelley is a competent food gatherer, diver and she has lived without power as well so she does have that skill level,” he said at the time.
Police thanked everyone who helped in their efforts to find Crooks over the last six weeks.
“We are ecstatic this had had a positive outcome.”

While we do not think Ms. Crooks will be anxious to go camping or hiking in the near future, needing to recuperate, we must give her a big thumbs up. She used all she knew to keep herself alive when others might have crumpled and given up. She is a true survivor!

If ever we, as preppers, survivalist, homesteaders and bushcrafters, need inspiration this story is one to remember. How this young woman implemented the survival coaching she partook in ended up saving her life!

When others tell us we are taking this “survivor thing” too seriously we merely need to cite Shelly Crooks and this news story! Read more on Stuff.