An 18-year-old hiker in China managed to stay alive for 10 days in freezing conditions by eating toothpaste after getting lost in a dangerous mountain range.
According to a report from the South China Morning Post, Sun Liang began his solo hike on February 8 in the Qinling Mountains of Shaanxi province, an area known for its harsh weather and high altitude.
Just two days into his journey, Liang’s electronic devices died, cutting off contact with his family. Things took a turn for the worse when he fractured his right arm after multiple falls while attempting to follow a creek.
With no food left, Liang survived by drinking river water, melted snow, and consuming toothpaste. While swallowing toothpaste can cause health problems like nausea and stomach issues, it became his last resort as he waited for help.
Liang sheltered behind a large rock and built a makeshift bed from dry straw and leaves to endure the cold. He was finally rescued on February 17 after search teams, alerted by his family, found him in the remote area. He was able to get the team’s attention after noticing smoke from their camp and shouting for help.
Authorities described the trail Liang was on as one of the most dangerous in China, with unpredictable weather and previous incidents of missing or deceased hikers. The area has been officially off-limits to the public since 2018, though Liang said he was unaware of the ban.
Following his rescue, Liang warned others not to attempt the route, calling the conditions extremely difficult and life-threatening.
The rescue operation cost his family 80,000 yuan (around P637,000), with officials reminding the public that the area poses serious risks, including encounters with wild animals. Some rescuers even sustained injuries during the mission.
