A young woman named Tiffany Slaton from Jeffersonville, Ga., was rescued in Fresno County, Calif., on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, after being missing in the High Sierra for three weeks. The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office shared an image of her when she was found. The Vermilion Valley Resort in California’s eastern Sierra had left cabin doors unlocked for wayward hikers during winter, which ended up playing a crucial role in Tiffany’s rescue. The owner of the resort, Christopher Gutierrez, discovered Tiffany after noticing a cabin door ajar and a pair of shoes nearby as he was reopening the resort for spring.
Gutierrez described the surreal moment when Tiffany appeared in the doorway, stating, “She pops out, didn’t say a word, just ran up and all she wanted was a hug.” Tiffany’s parents had reported her missing on April 29 after not hearing from her for over a week, prompting a search effort by the Fresno County Sheriff’s office and volunteers covering more than 600 square miles of the Sierra National Forest. Despite heavy snow blocking many roads, the search continued until it was scaled back on Monday. However, Tiffany’s unexpected appearance at the resort two days later brought a happy ending to the search and rescue mission.
After being found, Tiffany was evaluated at a hospital, where she was determined to be hungry and dehydrated but otherwise in good condition. Sheriff’s officials marveled at Tiffany’s resilience, with spokesman Tony Botti commenting on the unprecedented nature of her survival in the wilderness for three weeks. The public provided tips that helped authorities trace Tiffany’s movements to Huntington Lake on April 20, over 20 miles away from where she was found. The details of Tiffany’s journey, including her starting point, plans, and route to the resort, remain unclear, but sheriff’s officials plan to interview her for more information.
Tiffany’s parents in Jeffersonville, Georgia, were overjoyed to receive news of their daughter’s rescue while out shopping. The emotional reunion was described by Tiffany’s mother, Fredrina Slaton, who expressed gratitude to everyone involved in the search effort. Tiffany’s father, Bobby Slaton, shared his relief at her safe return and thanked the community for their support. The family emphasized Tiffany’s upbringing with a love for the outdoors and self-sufficiency, highlighting the importance of being prepared for challenging situations. As they reflected on the adventure of life, they were thankful that Tiffany’s upbringing had equipped her to navigate the wilderness and emerge safely.
Despite facing icy conditions at high elevations, Tiffany’s survival story serves as a testament to her strength and determination. The reopening of a mountain pass on the day of her rescue allowed access to the resort where she was found, marking a fortuitous turn of events in her rescue. As Tiffany recovers and shares her experience with authorities, the details of her harrowing journey through the High Sierra wilderness will shed light on her remarkable story of survival and resilience. Life’s unexpected twists and turns had led Tiffany on a challenging path, but her ability to endure and overcome adversity ultimately brought her back to safety.
