8th Grader Recalls Spending Night Alone in the Woods After Going Missing While Snowmobiling

Mar. 15, 2025

The 14-year-old boy who was rescued from the backcountry of Idaho aftergetting lost overnightis speaking out about his experience.

Mason, an 8th grader at Bear River Middle School in Garland, Utah, said he realized he was lost after spending a few minutes alone.

“I was like, ‘oh shoot,’ and I started freaking out,” the teen recalled, noting that he “cried and prayed a whole bunch” before regaining his composure.

Mason was also battling the elements. Temperatures were reportedly as low as -15 degrees Fahrenheit, and authorities said a storm dropped 10 to 12 inches of new snow the night Mason was missing.

Eventually, Mason said he made himself a space to lay down and rest. “I tossed and turned and kicked my feet to keep the blood flowing ‘cause I’m thinking, ‘I ain’t getting frostbite, dude I’ve got to play baseball.’ ” he remembered. “I said a bunch of prayers too.”

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By mid-morning on Sunday, a volunteer found Mason in White Canyon. The teen remembered waking up to the sound of a snowmobile and yelling “help” as the sound grew nearer.

Mindi said Mason was missing for 21 hours total. She opted to have her son sent to a local hospital, though EMTs who assessed Mason on-site determined that the visit was not necessary.

Mason reunited with his parents at the hospital. Doctors there were surprised that Mason did not have frostbite.

source: people.com