Missing 62-year-old California hiker Miyuki Harwood found alive

Authorities say a missing hiker has been found alive after being lost for nine days in the rugged Sierra Nevada near a Central California wildfire.

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said the team found 62-year-old Miyuki Harwood of Orangevalealive in an area east of Courtright Reservoir.

The office said a helicopter was been sent to pick-up Harwood and take her to Community Regional Medical Center for further evaluation of her injuries.

Miyuki Harwood, 62, had become separated from a group of hikers on a Sierra Club outing on August 20, prompting a massive, multiagency search. The extent of her injuries was unknown, according to sheriff’s officials.

The Sacramento Bee reported that a friend of Harwood’s, Curtis Hendrickson, said the outing was the first time she had hiked with the group, but he described her as ” a very knowledgeable, experienced backpacker”.

Sheriff Mims said they found Harwood in a remote area, on a very rocky location.

California Highway Patrol officer Rusty Hotchkiss said the group had only planned a daytrip, and that is all Harwood was prepared for. The helicopter helped deploy additional search team members, a few search dogs and supplies to help the effort in the Sierra National Forest, Botti said.

A wildfire burning nearby hampered initial search efforts and it was feared Ms Harwood would struggle to survive without food and with limited water.