Lost hiker missing for 3 weeks in Calif. mountains survives thanks to cabin left unlocked for this exact reason

That’s some proper prior planning.A lost hiker missing for three weeks in the California mountains miraculously survived when she stumbled upon an unlocked cabin that had been left open by its owner for this exact situation — and was rescued just in time to celebrate her birthday.

Georgia woman Tiffany Slaton, 27, found shelter at a closed resort in the eastern Sierra Nevada range after she was initially reported missing on April 29, authorities said.A massive search for Slaton involved scouring more than 600 square feet at the Sierra National Forest, but it was Vermilion Valley resort owner Christopher Gutierrez who found her first this week.He arrived at the venue Wednesday to prepare to reopen when he saw a front door slightly open and a pair of shoes.“She pops out, didn’t say a word, just ran up and all she wanted was a hug,” Gutierrez said during a Wednesday evening news conference.“It was a pretty surreal moment, and that’s when I realized who this was.”He typically leaves the cabin doors open while the resort is closed during the off-season in case a wayward hiker needs a place to crash amid harsh weather conditions like blizzards.“It’s mainly for people, just as this scenario played out, if they need to hole up in there one of shelter than it’s available,” Gutierrez said.Slaton, who hails from Jeffersonville in the Peach State, told Gutierrez she survived for weeks solely munching on leeks before the resort owner fed her a peanut and jelly sandwich.“It was a blizzard, and she pushed through that blizzard, and the first thing she saw was a cabin,” said Gutierrez.

“And she held up in the cabin overnight … this girl was saved for the reason.”The survivor was brought to a hospital and is in good condition besides dehydration, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said.Her parents reported her missing late last month, and witnesses told the sheriff’s office she was last seen on April 24.Two days before she was found, the sheri...