Hiker Attending "Mysteries of Nature" Retreat Found Safe After Going Missing

A hiker who went missing on a solo hike during a spiritual retreat was found safe on Saturday, according to the San Miguel County Sheriff's Office [https://www.facebook.com/sanmiguelcountysheriff/posts/pfbid033bTsAR9tzTZwgcujF4VCcSTGgA5Q4J44RMg8aYw1TpzcUhGAjbbauNeq468o5Kj3l?rdid=H5XpqKN6OQWSB33k].

Gina Chase, 53, from Victoria, Canada, was reported missing early Thursday afternoon, just a day after leaving on her solo journey near Lone Cone, about 60 miles southwest of Telluride, Colorado.

"Obviously, this is the outcome we were all hoping for, and we couldn’t be happier for Ms. Chase and her family," said San Miguel County Sheriff Bill Masters. "The responders’ tenacity, perseverance, and dedication led to the ultimate success of this mission."

Chase was part of a group organized by the Animas Valley Institute [https://www.animas.org/], based in Durango, Colorado. The group promotes "guided immersions into the mysteries of nature and psyche" [https://www.animas.org/glossary-to-language-of-soul-canyon#psyche] on its website. Members were discouraged from bringing cell phones and were fasting during their "solo journeys."

Sheriff Masters criticized the group's guidelines, stating:

"You should always bring technology for communications. Furthermore, you should not starve yourself even if a 'guide' service suggests the opposite of these basic safety rules. Nature does not care about your safety and will kill you if you are not prepared."

The Animas Valley Institute [https://www.animas.org/] released a statement highlighting their safety record since 1980 and expressing their commitment to supporting Chase's family.