Full Breakdown
Rescue of 70-Year-Old Hiker on Isle Royale After Week-Long Search
By Drooid · · How we work
The Search and Rescue Operation
National Park Service officials confirmed that two paddlers on Isle Royale discovered Craig Berg, 70, of Royal Oak, Michigan, after he had been missing for more than a week. Berg, who was on a solo hike, was located on a remote lake more than a mile from established trails. Park crews coordinated with the U.S. Coast Guard, which airlifted him via an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter to Marquette Airport and then to a hospital, where he was reported to be in good condition.
Park Context and Terrain
Isle Royale National Park, an island off Minnesota’s northeast tip, spans roughly 45 miles in length and 9 miles in width. The wilderness lacks roads or motor vehicles, relying on a network of rugged trails such as the Greenstone Ridge Trail and several canoe routes across inland lakes. The park’s environment includes dense forests, rocky shorelines, wetlands, and limited cellular coverage, all of which complicated the search effort.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He got lost, and then he fell into a marsh, and he lost his cell phone and his wallet in the marsh,” — Evan Berg, 70, of Royal Oak, Mich
- “He’s been slowly trying to make his way to find somebody. Kayakers ended up finding him.” — The Park Service
Key Details
- Search assets included ground teams with dogs, boats, drones, aircraft, and support from the Minnesota State Patrol.
- Berg’s son, Evan Berg, reported that his father had fallen into a marsh, losing his cell phone and wallet, and had been trying to find help for 11 days before the paddlers located him.
- After evacuation, Berg was able to speak with family members and was expected to walk in the hospital.
The coordinated response highlights the challenges of wilderness rescues on remote islands and the critical role of public volunteers alongside federal agencies.