Valentino Barattin, of Haines, had gone berry picking near a highway and had failed to return home after he became disoriented and “slightly injured” during the trip, according to local police.
Barattin was last seen at his home on Aug. 10 and reported missing on Aug. 11. His car was later found unoccupied on a remote road.
The Coast Guard said that they found Barattin in a heavily wooded area near Walker Lake. He was then taken to Haines airport where he was met by medics, troopers said.
Barattin told troopers that he had decided to stay in one place until help arrived.
In an earlier notice, District 17 command center command duty officer, Lt. Daniel Piazza said, “This case exemplifies the abilities of the federal, state and local agencies to seamlessly coordinate efforts to execute search and rescue.”
Another man, 56-year-old Earl “Rocky” Ashworth III, was also reported missing in a different part of the state on Aug. 10. Troopers had suspended the search, stating that they were awaiting “better information on a location he may have gone.”
“The troubling average of 500 to a few thousand people disappearing each year is made all the more remarkable by the fact that Alaska only has a population of around 600,000,” according to Coast to Coast.