PORT ANGELES – Mary O’Brien surprised those searching for her Saturday when she walked out of Olympic National Park after five nights alone in the backcountry.
The 45-year-old teacher from Arlington, Mass., had spent Friday night near the peak of Mount Fitzhenry, where she could see Lake Mills, the lights of the Upper Elwha Dam, and the cities of Port Angeles and Victoria.
“It wasn’t until I went higher that I could see the lake and see the lights,” O’Brien said on Saturday.
“I was so happy.”
She found a phone at boat ramp at Lake Mills in the Elwha River Basin and called park employees at 3:45 p.m.
They took her to park headquarters in Port Angeles.
O’Brien, who had set up camp at Sol Duc campground, lost her way on Monday night.
She hiked northeast out of the Sol Duc River basin over Appleton Pass toward the Elwha River.
She emerged from the backcountry uninjured, save for a pair of shins covered in scratches and bruises from days of hiking off trails through dense forest.
She smiled and was talkative as she recounted her trek, wanting just chocolate, tea and a chance to tell her family she was OK.
“I have an awesome family and great friends,” she said.
“I tried not to think about their worry too much, because I knew it would make me cry.”
