Camper rescued after five weeks

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A camper who became stranded nearly five weeks ago in a national forest because she could not cross a swollen river was rescued Sunday, more than two weeks after the search was called off.

A New Mexico National Guard crew waded across the icy Gila River to rescue a dehydrated and weak Carolyn Dorn, of South Carolina, who entered the Gila National Forest alone Dec. 6 for a two-week camping trip.

Two brothers found her Friday evening while hiking, said search and rescue coordinator Frankie Benoist, of Silver City.

Dorn was too weak to cross the river, so the brothers left food, water and wood for a fire and went for help, Benoist said. It took them a day to hike out and contact rescuers, who called in the National Guard.

“We needed a large helicopter … one with night vision and a hoist, and we also needed a medic on board because of her condition,” Benoist said.

Dorn was hospitalized in Silver City and should be fine, Benoist said. Her condition was unavailable. Dorn, who travels often to Silver City, had planned to camp for two weeks. But five days into her trip, it rained and snowed and the Gila River rose, trapping her, Benoist said.

Dorn had a tent, a sleeping bag and enough food and water for two weeks. After she became stuck, she drank from the river, built fires and “used very little energy,” Benoist said.

Temperatures have dropped into the low teens overnight in recent weeks, according to the National Weather Service.

Dorn’s car was spotted and reported to authorities 2 1/2 weeks after she left. Benoist said her group conducted an intensive search, “but we never considered that she traveled so far” into the forest. The search began Dec. 24 and ended Dec. 26.