Father and Son Survive Night in Wilderness Due to ‘Miracle’ Backpack

Levi Dittman left the backpack behind while lost in January, only for the bag to be found more than a month later by Julian Hernandez and his 12-year-old son

A father is opening up about how he and his son survived a night in the Utah wilderness thanks to some help from a backpack left behind by a teen who previously got lost in the same area.

Julian Hernandez and his 12-year-old son were in the Red Mountain area near Snow Canyon State Park in Washington County on Sunday, Feb. 16, when the pair got lost, according to FOX affiliate KSTU.

The dad said he and his son were in a “tough situation” due to the frigid temperatures when they stumbled upon a backpack.

The backpack — which contained items such as snacks, a first aid kit, a tent and other emergency supplies — was left behind by 15-year-old Levi Dittman, who had gotten lost in the same area in early January, according to ABC affiliate KTVX.

At the time, Levi tossed his backpack after he was stuck on a ledge overnight — hoping to remember it later. But he was unable to retrieve the bag when he was rescued, which “was a bit frustrating” because he spent two months filling it with nearly $300 worth of items.

More than a month later, Hernandez said most of those items helped him and his son survive their ordeal. “We didn’t have the proper things,” the dad told the outlet.

The two even used emergency blankets they found inside the bag to keep warm while they were stuck outside for 22 hours, according to KTSU.

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Ultimately, Levi was “really glad” to learn his backpack had helped someone survive a chilly night in the wilderness, according to KSTU. “That’s what the pack was intended for,” he said.

Levi’s mother Gretchen described the situation as a “miracle,” per KTVX. “You really have to have faith that God’s working,” she added.

Meanwhile, Hernandez remains grateful and plans to “give back to the community, just like they did with us,” KSTU reported. He also hopes to meet Levi in the future.