Missing Hiker Cody Michael, Dog Found Alive

DONNER SUMMIT (CBS13) - Missing Rocklin hiker Cody Michael and his dog have been found alive, Placer County search crews announced late Thursday morning.

Both look to be doing well, authorities say.

The Placer County Sheriff's Office says the Army National Guard rescued Cody and his dog Bauer. The pair was spotted in the Cherry Point area of Placer County on Thursday and were rescued at 10:15 a.m.

Cody's father Howard spoke to CBS13 after the rescue and described how his son's experiences.

"He was absolutely lost, and it wasn't until this third in the expanded search that they got into the territory he was in," Howard said. "he didn't want to create a forest fire, so he built a fire for himself on a rock in the midst of some little melted snow pond-type of thing."

Search crews have been out since Monday looking for the 23-year-old Cody. He was in the Donner Summit area when he was last heard from.

The National Guard sent in Black Hawk helicopters searching a 6-mile radius on Wednesday as the search intensified.

The helicopters were back out searching on Thursday. It was them who eventually spotted Cody.

Speaking from a hospital bed, Cody said he's thankful for the overwhelming show of support.

"This whole experience has been kind of crazy," Cody said. "To see how many people were out there trying to find me, it's unbelievable."

Cody scratched the world "Help" into the rocks near his campsite so that rescuers could spot him.

"He said when he saw the Black Hawk flying overhead he took his rain guard that he had and tied a string to it and just swirled it, went out in the open and just swirled it, and that's what they saw," Howard said.

Crews reported that the rugged terrain complicated the search effort.

Cody's family said they received a text Monday morning saying he was cold but fine and going to fish a bit before heading back. He never returned, prompting family to contact authorities.

In:
• Rocklin
• Placer County