After nearly three weeks missing in the rugged wilderness of Fresno County, California, 28-year-old Tiffany Slaton has been found alive — and her survival story is nothing short of incredible.
A trained horticulturist and former Olympic-level archer from Jeffersonville, Georgia, Slaton had set out on a three-day solo camping trip that turned into a life-or-death test of endurance. What was supposed to be a peaceful escape into nature became a harrowing journey filled with injury, isolation, and unpredictable weather.
At a press conference, Slaton joked,
“I may never take a vacation longer than three days ever again.”
A Fall, an Avalanche, and No Signal
Soon after beginning her trek, Slaton suffered a serious fall from a cliff, losing consciousness for two hours and sustaining injuries to both legs. She managed to splint one leg and reset a dislocated knee, using her outdoor training to stabilize herself.
Worse still, an avalanche blocked the main road, and with no cell reception, Slaton was completely cut off from emergency services.
Over the course of 20 harrowing days, she battled through:
-
13 snowstorms
-
Elevations reaching 11,000 feet
-
Threats from wildlife
-
A dwindling supply kit, eventually relying on only a knife and a lighter
To survive, Slaton foraged for wild leeks and drank melted snow, relying on skills honed through years of outdoor experience.
A Birthday Goal — and a Life-Saving Cabin
Her family had reported her missing on April 29, nine days after last hearing from her. Despite a search covering 600 square miles from May 6–10, no signs were found, and the operation was scaled back.
Then, on May 15, Tiffany’s father answered a call:
“Dad, I’m alive,” she said.
Slaton had taken refuge in an unlocked off-season cabin near Lake Edison, left open intentionally by its owner, Christopher Gutierrez, for emergencies. When Gutierrez arrived to open the property for summer, Slaton — exhausted and emotional — embraced him in silence. He immediately alerted local authorities.
She was treated for dehydration, minor burns, and eye damage from the snow’s reflection. Despite losing around 10 pounds, she was in surprisingly good health thanks to her foraging skills and resilience.
A Journal of Survival
Slaton documented her entire experience in a journal, which she plans to revisit during her recovery in Georgia.
Her mother, Fredrina Slaton, praised her daughter’s strength and sense of humor.
“She’s a fighter. But I’ll be even prouder when she finally carries a GPS.”
Tiffany’s story is one of grit, instinct, and a deep will to survive — all sparked by her determination not to let her parents believe she had died alone in the wilderness.
