US yoga instructor Amanda Eller, 35, went for hiking in Maui and got lost for more than two weeks in a Hawaii forest. Amanda survived on water, plants, and moths and slept in a boar’s den. She was found by the Hawaii authorities in a stream bed on Friday.
We all have at some point watched Man Vs Wild, where we see the anchor, Bear Grylls stay in these dense jungles, eat ants, insects, snakes and even hunt for wild animals and eat them. I always wondered if that was ever possible and after Amanda’s story I am convinced.
Amanda left her car at a short distance from the forest when she started for her hiking trip to Maui. She was reported missing by her family members the next morning. The Hawaii helicopter rescue crew searched the area for 72 hours after her missing report. After 13 days they expanded the search area with the help of local volunteers, hunters and helicopter crew. She was spotted lying in a stream by the rescue team.
The team was elated when they found her and she was taken to Maui Memorial Hospital by ambulance.
“It was a really significant spiritual journey. There were times when it came down to life and death. I had to choose, I chose life” said Amanda in an interview with the Washington Post. She survived without a phone, GPS and even proper food in her ordeal in the thick Hawaii forest. She had suffered injuries and had a broken leg and also lost her shoes in a flash flood on her fourth day in the jungle.
She remained very strong throughout her struggles in the forest. Her boyfriend Benjamin Konkol said he never gave up hope because he believed Eller was still in the forest. And he was right! Her family rejoiced when they first time spoke to her on the phone.
