A Coast Guard helicopter crew pulled a 70-year-old missing hiker from Isle Royale after a week in the wild, turning fear into a rescue success.
Story Highlights
- Backpackers spotted Craig Berg alive after a week missing on Isle Royale.
- Coast Guard aircrew hoisted him out; he was injured and hypothermic.
- National Park Service coordination and fast reporting made the save possible.
- Older solo hikers face higher rescue risk; preparation and partners matter.
Rescuers Find Missing Hiker Alive After Week on Remote Island
United States Coast Guard crews and Michigan State Police rescued 70-year-old solo hiker Craig Berg after a week missing in Isle Royale National Park, a remote island in Lake Superior. Backpackers on the island found Berg “alive and alert” and notified authorities. Responders determined he was injured and suffering from hypothermia. Officials said he had been missing since September 5. The rescue ended with an air evacuation for medical evaluation and care, according to the Coast Guard and local reports.
ABC News reported that a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew hoisted Berg from the island and flew him to Marquette Regional Airport in Michigan, where emergency medical teams took over. Video shared by local media shows the careful hoist and steady crew work amid rugged terrain and cold lake winds. The images match what many hikers know about Isle Royale: it is beautiful, isolated, and unforgiving when weather turns or injuries strike far from help.
How Teamwork and Quick Reporting Turned the Tide
National Park Service rangers, Michigan State Police, and the Coast Guard coordinated the search after Berg did not return as planned. Backpackers were the key link. They saw him, understood the urgency, and alerted authorities fast. That early contact gave air crews a starting point and cut down precious search time. Park officials later said he was found alive and alert, a rare and welcome outcome in such remote terrain where rescue windows close quickly.
Isle Royale sits hours by boat or seaplane from the mainland. Trails twist through dense forest, rock, and wetlands. Communication is spotty. Those facts raise the stakes when hikers go missing. Crews rely on reports, last known points, and any sign from the field. Here, a tip from fellow hikers, clear command, and an available helicopter made the difference. The chain worked as designed, from first eyes on scene to the final hoist and handoff to medics.
Lessons for Hikers: Plan, Gear Up, and Consider a Partner
Search and rescue data show solo hikers make up a large share of rescue cases, and men are often overrepresented. Analysts who study these missions say quick location often matters more than the first mistake, whether it is a wrong turn, fatigue, or light gear. One national parks review documented thousands of search operations and found many cases tied to day hikes and limited preparation. The pattern is clear: the right gear, a partner, and a plan raise survival odds when trouble hits.
WATCH: Missing 70-Year-Old Hiker Found Alive After Week in Remote US National Park
A 70-year-old solo hiker who went missing for a week in one of America’s most remote national parks has been found alive at Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior.
Craig Berg was suffering…
— Trivane News (@TrivaneNews) September 14, 2026
Conservative readers know self-reliance starts with readiness. That means a paper map, a charged headlamp, extra layers, fire starters, a whistle, and a way to signal. It means leaving a route plan and check-in time with family. It also means respecting age and weather. None of this replaces grit; it channels it. The goal is freedom with foresight. Agencies did their job here. Hikers can do theirs by stacking the deck before boots hit the trail.
Sources:
facebook.com, abcnews.com, myupnow.com, upnorthlive.com, thesurvivaluniversity.com, universe.byu.edu
