It's another missing-hiker story . A 53-year-old woman lost in southwest Colorado was found safe after being missing for four days, reports . Gina Chase, 53, of Victoria, Canada, went out on a solo hike Wednesday in San Miguel County, where she was attending a spiritual retreat run by the Animas Valley Institute.
She was reported missing the following day, per . Retreat attendees are encouraged to leave their phones behind on solo hikes and to fast beforehand, says the sheriff's office in a —and the sheriff lambasted those suggestions. "You should always bring technology for communications," said Sheriff Bill Masters.
"Furthermore, you should not starve yourself even if a 'guide' service suggests the opposite of these basic safety rules. Nature does not care about your safety and will kill you, especially if [you] are not properly prepared." Chase was found uninjured in the backcountry on Saturday.
"The safety of our participants remains our highest priority," said the institute in a statement. "We have been in direct contact with the participant's family during this immensely difficult time and remain committed to supporting them over the coming days and weeks." (More stories.
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