Missing hiker found in California mountains says she survived on wild leeks, snowmelt: “Nature is quite terrifying”

SIERRA NEVADA California KOVR A Georgia woman who went missing for weeks in California s Sierra Nevada mountains reported that she was trapped by an avalanche and survived off wild leeks and snowmelt before she was unveiled this week in a snowy cabin Tiffany Slaton discussed her harrowing ordeal Friday at a news conference alongside her parents and law enforcement authorities where she also recounted being immobilized by a steep fall When I fell off of this cliff I was unconscious for about two hours and did indeed need to splint one of my legs and popped the other knee back into place Slaton stated From there I couldn t certainly get back onto the road the main road was blocked because of the avalanche that I had been in Slaton explained she tried calling numerous times but was not accomplished Her GPS worked however providing directions to the nearest Starbucks a highway Slaton noted was a long arduous journey After about five days she ran out of food Slaton who announced she is a nutritionist recalled that she staved off hunger with wild leeks and boiled snowmelt She made tea out of manzanita and pine needles she announced The Sierra has a large selection of leeks that is hard to find in other places Slaton mentioned I managed to survive off of these leeks and boiling the snowmelt for a very long period of time Having originally set out for a camping trip Slaton noted she brought two sleeping bags and a tent But she lost the tent and the sleeping bags at certain point leaving her with just a lighter and a knife I m pretty good at foraging and nature is quite terrifying so usually once you start finding things that are scary for you you do your best to keep moving and get over it she stated The owner of Vermilion Valley Resort identified her in a cabin on Wednesday The following day she celebrated her th birthday That was the th heavy snowstorm I had been in revealed Slaton who also noted that she is an archery coach and athlete If he hadn t come that day they would ve determined my body there