Missing Man Survives a Month in National Park

Robert Schock, a 39-year-old musician and ultra-runner from Blaine, Washington, set off on what he thought would be a routine 20-mile run in the rugged North Cascades National Park with his loyal dog, Freddy.

That July 31 day began simply: a minimal pack, no heavy supplies, and a plan to return home by nightfall. Schock had no idea he would instead face a month-long battle for his life against starvation, exposure, and isolation. His story has captivated many, raising questions about the unpredictability of even the most familiar trails.

Schock recalls his mindset before setting out. “I am an ultra-runner,” he shared with PEOPLE. “I’m not a hiker. I don’t put on backpacks and go out for multiple-day trips. I don’t know how to fish. I want to finish a course as fast as I can and come back home.” With no shirt, only a pair of shorts, Freddy, and a dog pan, Schock had stripped his pack to the essentials. But what started as a single-day sprint became a survival nightmare.

Equipped with just an outdated map, Schock made his way toward the Chilliwack River Trail, hoping to cross the river by cable car. But he soon realized the trail had been reshaped by wildfires from the past two years. The route he remembered no longer existed. “When I got out there, the trail was no longer there,” Schock said. “I was curious to know what happened… and my curiosity kind of kept me going.”

On the second day, his phone died. By day three, he felt his situation turn serious and urged Freddy to find his way home. “I wasn’t doing well,” he said.

Days turned into a blur as Schock fought to stay alive. He scavenged for food, relying on berries he described as “pretty nasty” and a large mushroom he stumbled upon, eating it “all day long.” Alone and exhausted, he began to lose hope. “Please let this be over,” he thought repeatedly. At one point, Schock saw a helicopter overhead, but his frantic waves and calls went unnoticed. “I started screaming, ‘Help!’ and they didn’t respond,” he recounted.

Meanwhile, on August 4, Schock’s mother, Jan Thompson, received an unexpected call from the Whatcom Humane Society, saying Freddy had been found alone on a trail. Shocked and worried, Thompson had no idea her son had ventured into the North Cascades. Authorities located Schock’s vehicle parked at the trailhead on July 31, its window halfway down and wallet inside. “The deputy thought Rob went into the wilderness with no intention of coming out,” Thompson recalled. “I knew that wasn’t the case.”

As days passed, Schock’s strength and hope were fading. “I wasn’t screaming for help very much anymore,” he said. “I was not doing very well.” On August 30, his last day in the wilderness, he found himself by the Chilliwack River. His body was failing, and he feared he wouldn’t survive the night. As the sun set, he gave one final call for help. “I’m going to scream one last time,” he thought, shouting, “Help!”

Miraculously, members of the Pacific Northwest Trail Association, returning from a work camp, heard his cries and came to his aid. “One of the guys took his shirt off and gave it to me,” Schock said gratefully. “It is an understatement to say how truly thankful I am for those people.”

Schock was airlifted to a nearby hospital, where he stayed for a month, receiving food through an IV and slowly regaining his strength. His mother recalled the first phone call she had with her son after his rescue. “His voice was very faint, and I knew he was so weak,” she said. “I’ve learned details of his story in bits and pieces. Part of me doesn’t want to know because I can’t bear to think of how he suffered.”

The ordeal has left lasting scars on Schock, both physical and emotional. “This has taken its toll on me, and I’ve aged several years because of it,” he admitted. He has no plans to revisit the North Cascades anytime soon. “I don’t want to go to that particular region for quite some time until I forget about it.”

As Schock rebuilds his life, his family remains incredibly thankful. Thompson expressed her gratitude to those who searched, saying, “It hasn’t really sunk in… I am beyond amazed and so thankful it had a happy ending.” Schock looks forward to resuming his music and life in Washington, with the hard-won knowledge that even the most well-prepared can be tested by nature’s unpredictability.