Sentinel Digital Desk
A teenager who went on a solo trip in China's Shaanxi province but went missing in the freezing conditions was able to survive for 10 days after eating toothpaste, according to a report.
The 18-year-old, Sun Liang, began his trek on February 8, venturing into the Qinling mountains, which have an average altitude of about 2,500 meters.
Two days into his hike, Sun lost contact with his family when his electronic devices ran out of battery. With no way to reach the outside world, he began walking downstream along a creek, falling several times and eventually fracturing his right arm.
Facing a severe food shortage, Sun survived by drinking river water, melted snow, and even toothpaste. To protect himself from the freezing winds, he took shelter behind a large rock and built a makeshift bed from dry straw and leaves.
An operation was launched after the family contacted a local search and rescue team. On February 17, while preparing a fire, Sun caught a whiff of smoke and yelled for help, successfully drawing the attention of his rescuers.
He warned other hikers who planned to take the Ao-Tai Line not to go as "life is invaluable."