Gina Chase, a 53-year-old woman from Victoria, Canada, was found alive after disappearing for four days during a solo hike in the Colorado backcountry. Authorities confirmed that Chase, who was part of a group organized by the Animas Valley Institute, was located in the targeted search area on August 17. She was uninjured but underwent a medical evaluation as a precaution, reports the San Miguel County Sheriff’.
Chase embarked on her journey from the Lone Cone trailhead near Norwood, about 30 miles northwest of Telluride, CO, in the San Juan mountains, on August 14 as part of a retreat that encourages participants to fast and leave behind cell phones to enhance their experience and reflect more deeply on their lives in the natural world. The group utilized a buddy system to ensure everyone’s return to camp. However, when Chase failed to check in, her absence was reported to the camp guides, who initiated a search before contacting the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office.
The search involved multiple agencies, including air resources and K9 teams, and was described as challenging due to the difficult terrain. San Miguel County Sheriff Bill Masters expressed relief at Chase’s safe recovery, highlighting the dedication and perseverance of the search and rescue teams. He also advised against venturing into the backcountry without proper communication tools and preparation.
The Animas Valley Institute, based in Durango, Colorado, stated its joy at Chase’s safe return and emphasized its commitment to participant safety. It has been in contact with Chase’s family and offered ongoing support. It offered the following statement:
Statement from Animas Valley Institute: 08/19
Following the successful search for a missing participant on an Animas Valley Institute program we want to once again express our gratitude that she has been found unharmed. The safety of participants is our number one priority and we are committed to doing whatever it takes to fulfilling that responsibility. By way of further context:
1. We are immensely grateful to the San Miguel Sheriff’s Office, San Miguel County Search and Rescue, Montezuma County Search and Rescue and all the other professionals and volunteers whose generosity, time, expertise and dedication helped bring this incident to a successful closure. Several of our own guides currently serve or have previously served on those same SAR teams; others have worked as search and rescue professionals in other jurisdictions, and we understand what it is like to be on the other side of this story.
2. The Animas Valley Institute is not a ‘spiritual camp’. It is not a religious program, and adults from many faiths – including none – participate in our programs. Nor do we offer therapy. We are a 501(c)(3) organization established in Colorado since 1980 and our work is dedicated to human development. We believe that the natural world offers profound lessons that can help each of us discover and develop the full range of our full creative intelligence. We are then able to better play our individual part in serving our communities and contributing towards a flourishing future for all. Our programs – most of which do not involve fasting – are therefore designed to support participants as they reflect more deeply on their lives in the natural world.
3. The solo element of our programming offers the opportunity for deep reflection free from the distractions of everyday life. While virtually all cultures and traditions promote fasting as a safe and effective way to encourage deeper reflection, we never advise participants to ‘starve’ themselves; fasting is always optional and health-dependent. Our fasting protocols have been developed with the oversight of medical professionals. All participants must carry emergency rations, along with plentiful drinking water. We never advise participants to ‘hike’ or to leave their designated site except to their check-in location near their solo camp. And we insist that participants carry a pack containing emergency equipment should they leave their campsite for any reason.
4. Are backcountry solos dangerous? The backcountry is unpredictable and no activity is without risk. Are they riskier than other backcountry activities? The evidence would suggest no. Many people come from around the world to the Southwest every year to take part in reflective backcountry solos, many of which involve fasting. But incidents are incredibly rare. The Animas Valley Institute has run such programs in Colorado and beyond since 1980. In 43 years, this is the first time we have experienced a serious incident and as a result, we will thoroughly review our approach. But to put things in context, many people tragically lose their lives every year in the Colorado backcountry while skiing, climbing, hiking, paddling, horse-riding, hunting and driving OHV’s. Since 1980, those popular activities have resulted in thousands of fatalities.
5. Like other organizations that facilitate reflective backcountry solos (e.g. Outward Bound) we have clear risk management protocols. These include:
a. Participant medical screening
b. Clear communication and transparency around potential risks
c. Briefing and instruction around managing both general risks (e.g. temperature regulation) and location specific risks (e.g. hazardous plants or wildlife)
d. A non-coercive approach; participants can return from their solo at any time for any reason
e. Basic survival skills instruction
f. Appropriate equipment, clothing and shelter for the location and time of year
g. A pack that must be carried if participants leave their solo site for any reason which contains:
i. laminated emergency preparedness instructions card;
ii. signalling device;
iii. rain jacket and pants;
iv. additional clothing;
v. flashlight;
vi. emergency rations;
vii. survival gear;
viii. personal first aid kit;
ix. emergency blanket;
x. water;
xi. personal medications.
h. A ‘buddy’ check-in system
i. Clear emergency protocols
j. Trained and experienced staff. In this incident, there were two lead guides and two assistant guides (1:3 ratio). One lead guide has worked as a therapist and professional backcountry leader in Colorado for 20+ years, while the other has worked as a professional mountain guide for 30+ years. Both had additionally spent 5+ years training at the Animas Valley Institute before leading programs in the field.
k. Legal compliance. All our programs operate with appropriate operating permits from the relevant land management agencies, each of which require specific risk management elements (e.g. liability insurance for specific activities, guiding certifications etc.)
6. Cell phones and signalling devices. SAR technology is constantly evolving and we are all responsible for keeping up to date with emerging capabilities. Some new cell phones include satellite SOS capability and this is likely to become a widespread, non-emergency feature in the near future. The new helicopter and drone ‘Lifesaver’ platforms make it possible for SAR teams to create temporary airborne cell reception that allows them to locate specific phones if they are powered on even in areas with no cell reception. Currently, this capability is only available in a few locations around the world. We encourage local authorities with access to such technology to ensure that this capability becomes more widely known – not only to the general public but to permitting agencies that work with backcountry operators as well. There is a real opportunity for all of us to build awareness here.
7. In the coming weeks, the Animas Valley Institute will be initiating a thorough review of this incident that will include independent expertise. We will examine all aspects of our risk management protocols. The safety and well-being of our participants remains our highest priority and we will do whatever is required to fulfill that responsibility.
For further information please contact: info@animas.org.
