Hiker rescued after spending night lost in Everglades

A 33-year-old hiker spent most of Monday night lost in the Everglades, according to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.

The hiker, who asked to remain unidentified, was unable to find his way back to a trail he was following off of Loop Road and called deputies for help.

“I go hiking all the time, this is the first time I’ve ever been lost on a hike and hopefully the last time,” the hiker said.

The hiker from Cape Coral planned on taking the two and half mile hike to take photographs, but ended up using the flash on his camera to signal the helicopter once it got too dark.

The Collier County Aviation Bureau crew was able to locate the hiker by using cellphone data and infrared sensors, but the area was covered with trees making a landing impossible.

“They got part way in and about a third of the way in, but according to what they told me they started running into water moccasins constantly,” the hiker said.

The hiker believed he was somewhere near water and suspected that the growling nearby might’ve been alligators.

“The mosquitoes kept me awake so sleep didn’t really happen … they’re just so loud and you can pull your shirt over your head and it just doesn’t matter, you can hear them through your shirt,” the hiker said.

Officials were able to spot the hiker and hoist him up around 8 a.m. after the fog lifted. Deputies and dispatchers worked together for 16 hours to help rescue the hiker.

“I wasn’t expecting to be out there that long, next time I’ll pack a water bottle at least and a flashlight,” the hiker said.

The sheriff’s office posted the infrared video on Facebook: