WINNIPEG —A pair of canoeists from the United States who got lost in Manitoba survived by eating water lilies and bugs before they eventually were found by searchers.
Eric and Julie Haugan of Washington had planned to canoe from The Pas to Churchill along the Churchill River but took a wrong turn, according to Kevin Choy, vice-president of the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association.
Choy said the mistake meant the Haugans had to portage more often and for longer distances than they expected—slowing their progress and using up supplies.
“They were very low on energy, they had run out of food,” Choy said, adding the pair had received food from a passing Natural Resources officer on Aug. 24 but already were low on supplies at that time.
The canoeists had planned to arrive in Churchill on Sept. 1. They were officially reported missing Sept. 3 and finally were located Friday afternoon.
Choy said the area where the trekkers were found is extremely rugged.
“It’s very desolate and barren . . . the tundra and tree line are mixed together,” he noted. “Most people in that area should carry a firearm, for both protection and hunting.”
The Haugans didn’t have a gun with them, Choy said, but had done research on surviving in the Canadian wilderness.
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