Surviving on insects and his urine for nine grueling days, an American-Israeli hiker with multiple fractures navigated the treacherous Himalayas alone after a devastating fall, finally stumbling upon a remote village that saved his life.
Key Takeaways
- Samuel Vengrinovich, a 44-year-old Israeli-American, survived nine days alone in the Himalayas with multiple fractures after getting lost in dense fog and falling down a mountainside.
- With most supplies left at camp, Vengrinovich resorted to eating insects, berries, grass, and drinking his urine to stay alive.
- After fleeing Israel to escape the Hamas-Israel conflict, Vengrinovich embarked on the Mount Triund trek as part of a personal healing journey.
- His family launched a $100,000 GoFundMe campaign that has raised over $66,000 to cover search costs, uninsured medical expenses, and repatriation to Florida.
- Despite his harrowing ordeal, Vengrinovich managed to reach a remote Himalayan village on June 15, where he finally received medical attention.
A Healing Journey Turns Perilous
Samuel Vengrinovich’s two-day hike on Mount Triund near Dharamshala, India, was meant to be a spiritual respite. Having relocated to India eight months earlier to escape the Israel-Hamas conflict, the 44-year-old Bay Area native sought solace in the majestic Himalayas. After attending a talk by the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala, a spiritual center for Tibetan Buddhism, Vengrinovich embarked on what should have been a routine trek on June 9. His sister Natasha had no reason for concern when he messaged about his hiking plans.
“And then Thursday, he texted us saying ‘I’m gonna go on a hike’ and then we started talking about doing a family reunion next month,” said Natasha Vengrinovich.
The situation quickly deteriorated when Vengrinovich didn’t return as scheduled. Alarm bells rang when his belongings were discovered abandoned at his campsite. His sister reported that his tent, most clothing, and phone remained behind, suggesting he had only prepared for a day hike. Dense fog disoriented the experienced hiker, causing him to stray from marked paths and ultimately tumble down a treacherous mountainside, resulting in multiple fractures that left him unable to climb back.
Nine Days of Survival Against All Odds
With only minimal supplies, Vengrinovich faced a desperate fight for survival. The injured hiker improvised, eating anything he could find in the unforgiving wilderness. He sustained himself on insects, wild berries, and grass. As dehydration threatened his life, he resorted to drinking his urine – an extreme survival tactic that likely kept him alive through the ordeal. Despite his injuries, he continued moving, following a river in hopes of reaching civilization.
“He ate insects along the way to survive and was following the river to get to Dharamshala village,” said Vengrinovich’s sister, Natasha.
Meanwhile, his worried family launched an intensive search effort. After Natasha raised the alarm about her missing brother, local authorities organized search parties to comb the mountainous terrain. The family started a GoFundMe campaign with a $100,000 goal to finance the increasingly complex rescue operation. The funds would cover specialized equipment, management costs, and helicopter services needed to navigate the challenging Himalayan landscape. An Israeli delegation even joined the search, highlighting the international concern for the missing hiker.
A Miraculous Discovery
After nine harrowing days alone in the wilderness, Vengrinovich achieved what many considered impossible. On June 15, he stumbled upon a remote Himalayan village where residents helped him contact rescuers. The news of his survival after such an extended period with serious injuries shocked and elated his family. His remarkable story of resilience quickly captured international attention, with many calling his survival nothing short of miraculous.
“To say it’s a miracle is an understatement,” said Natasha.
Vengrinovich’s ordeal revealed the deeper purpose behind his journey to India. Friends described him as more than just a typical backpacker seeking adventure. According to his friend Eliyahu Freedman, Vengrinovich’s trek was part of a healing mission to process the trauma from the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. Having left Israel to escape the ensuing conflict, his Himalayan journey represented a spiritual quest for peace and recovery from the violence he had fled.
“Sam wasn’t just another backpacker. He was on a mission—to heal,” said his friend Eliyahu Freedman.
The Road to Recovery
Though found alive, Vengrinovich’s ordeal is far from over. He remains hospitalized in India with multiple fractures requiring extensive medical care. His surgeries were not covered by insurance, creating a significant financial burden. The GoFundMe campaign, which has raised over $66,000 of its $100,000 goal, has now shifted focus to cover his medical expenses and fund his eventual repatriation to Florida, where family members await his return.
His story stands as a remarkable testament to human endurance and the will to survive. Despite facing seemingly insurmountable odds – severe injuries, exposure to the elements, and scarce resources – Vengrinovich’s determination to live propelled him through nine days of extreme hardship. For conservative Americans who value self-reliance and personal responsibility, his survival saga demonstrates the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit when faced with life-threatening adversity.
