Life
Mom meets young hiker and can’t stop worrying she’s in grave danger
Even though Nancy only met the woman briefly, her gut feeling told her she needed help.
William Maldonado
04.27.21

There was once a time when people relied on the kindness of strangers. But in today’s world, it’s sometimes easier to assume that strangers are just being nosy.

But one hiker discovered that concern isn’t always unwarranted, especially when that advice comes from a mother.

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It may have been a chance meeting when…

The story begins one unlikely day on the Pacific Crest Trail in Washington State. Local mother Nancy Abell met a hiker by the name of Katharina Groene.

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The women talked, and Nancy learned that Katharina was intending to hike the last leg of a journey that had taken her across 2,500 miles. Most might have congratulated Katharina, but Nancy took one look at the hiker and had an immediate concern.

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She noticed that the hiker wasn’t quite dressed for the snow.

Nancy believed that Katharina should rethink the last part of her hiking journey. She noticed that the hiker didn’t quite have the right shoes for the snowy trails and nagged Katharina to purchase different footwear or to turn around.

But Katharina ignored the mother’s warnings, because she figured that the kind woman was just being a bit nosy. So Katharina continued on her way, while Nancy went home in worry.

Nancy did some digging and realized the real danger Katharina was in.

Nancy spent the next few nights looking at the weather forecast. She saw heavy cold and wet conditions coming and something in her just screamed that the hiker was in danger.

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After all, the conditions on the trail put the hiker at risk of frostbite. Which could have damaged her nerves and limbs and possibly led to amputation.

Nancy did the only thing that made sense…

She called 911 and asked them to go searching for the hiker.

Now ordinarily this wouldn’t be done, since 911 doesn’t go searching for people who haven’t been reported missing. But Nancy convinced them that her hunch was an educated one.

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Snohomish rescue crews were dispatched to search the hiking trail.

911 was convinced to deploy helicopter search and rescue teams to the trail. They searched and searched for any sign that Katharina was in danger.

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She did indeed need saving.

As it turned out, Nancy was right, because they found Katharina lying in the snow, frostbitten, with only one day left to live. Rescue crews managed to get her to safety where they restored her to full functionality.

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Nancy welcomed Katharina into her home after the incident.

Katharina was so grateful to her rescuer that she accepted Nancy’s invitation. She stayed with Nancy for a few days before her flight back home to Germany. For those few days, it was like living with her very own mother.

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While there, Katharina revealed why she was on the trail on her own. In an interview with CBS’ Steve Hartman about the rescue, she said:

“I had lost faith in humanity”

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We’re certain that Nancy restored Katharina’s faith in the kindness of strangers.

You can see this incredible story by checking out the video below!

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