UW-Madison student rescues missing woman in New Mexico

Peter Kottke, a UW–Madison junior from St. Paul, Minn., spent his winter break backpacking around Gila National Forest in New Mexico with his brother, Albert, without any idea that at the end of his trip they would end up becoming national heroes.

“We were hiking along the south bank of the Gila river when we heard a faint call. We didn’t know if it was an animal or person calling to us. We waited and then noticed a person walk into a clearing and wave to us,” says Kottke, recounting his encounter and subsequent rescue of Carolyn Dorn, a hiker who had been missing in the wilderness of Gila National Forest for more than a month.

“After crossing the river, she said that she had not eaten in three weeks and was very hungry. We fed her some Tang and granola, collected firewood and refilled her water bottles,” says Kottke, who then went for help, walking miles and eventually hitchhiking to get to the nearest town.

Once Kottke reached the Silver City, N.M., sheriff’s office, a National Guard helicopter followed the map Kottke had marked and rescued Dorn. Although Dorn was severely hypothermic when she was found, she is now in stable condition after hospitalization. “I’m just happy we were able to find her in time,” says Kottke.