Isle Royale National Park: 70-year-old hiker rescued after week-long disappearance

Isle Royale National Park search and rescue Craig Berg hypothermia Lake Superior

Craig Berg, a 70-year-old hiker from Royal Oak, Michigan, has been rescued from Isle Royale National Park after being missing since September 5. Berg was found alive and alert on Saturday, September 12, by a group of backpackers who alerted authorities.

During the search, officials reported that Berg was suffering from injuries and hypothermia. He had been on a solo nine-day hiking trip in the remote, rugged wilderness of the island, which lacks cell service and motorized vehicles. His family noted he had previously lost his phone and wallet in a marshy area.

The rescue operation involved a massive multi-agency effort, including the U.S. Coast Guard, Michigan State Police, the National Park Service, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, along with K-9 units and assistance from the Wisconsin State Patrol and Minnesota Department of Public Safety. A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter hoisted Berg from the island and transported him to Marquette Regional Airport for medical evaluation.