Much and perhaps the only credit for this rescue appears to be on the part of the victims and not much on the rescue teams which actually suffered unfortunately one fatality. Resourcefulness, something which seems to be in short supply for most lost victims who die, and luck in how they were discovered are the primary reason for this happy ending. What went wrong? Why if the rescue teams were looking in the right area didn't they locate these fortunate victims. More troubling questions and important issues have been raised for future searches. What about infrared, body heat seeking devices? Human body warmth against the cold of ice and snow? What about marking disable vehicles? What could have been done differently so that the chances of earlier and more likely detection have occurred? The next time, the victims might not be so resourceful or as fortunate.

I'd have gone for help!

Congratulations to this family!!

I am glad the Garners are well. I am an Eagle Scout too, but I don't know if I could survive ten days. I don't remember much from those days.

The lessons being overlooked for future victims. It's both a relief and a disturbing revelation that the victims were mostly responsible for their own survival. Their ability to take care of themselves as well as a lot of luck led to the great and happy outcome. What is disturbing however is that the actual rescue parties failed locate the victims even though they were in the right area and that one of them died in part due to his participation in this search. What ever happened to heat-sensors to identity human heat signatures against the cold ice and snow? What ever happened to teaching lost victims to put more effort into creating location signs for help easily identifiable by air search craft. The next victims might not be so lucky.

Wonderful NEWS!!! I truly believe that God had a hand in their return. Prayer works miracles.

Thought inspiring story but why is Madussa at an animal shelter instead of home with family members?

I am so happy that you knew so much to do to survive. I listened and learned in case. Congratulations for a safe return for you and your family. Many people were praying for you. Hey, write your story and it could save other lives. You two were amazing.

Thank God, it was He who saved them. And thank God that there are those who are willing to lose their lives to help save others.

What an amazing life story. Prayers are answered. There is a reason why things happen the way they do. Reflection on what was learned from this experience by all involved, even those who are unaquainted with this amazing family and have sent up a prayer, have the blessing of personal growth. The opportunity now is to share what you've learned, how you have grown as individuals and within your communities. Reach out, we are all on the path to be a better self. Shared life experiences of others can help us see we are not alone, that we can have hope, our lives matter, even a prayer is valuable. I am so happy for your family, don't ever let the hugs stop.

No way! No way!

Obviously grateful things worked out for the best. But you saw the warning signs!

Why do people think they are exempt from danger? These signs are not for the sceneries benefit. Same goes to skiers/snowboarders who CHOOSE to go into the back countries. Heed the warning signs. You'd be surprised how they may actually save your life!

The reason I got rid of my Dodge Dakota last year was because the thing could get stuck on a popsicle and spin all day. I knew someday it would strand me somewhere I didn't want to be stranded. I guess the seat cushions make good snowshoes though! Congratulations to the Garners for their ingenuity and will to persist, and condolences to the Search and Rescue who lost a member of their "family."

Obviously grateful things worked out for the best, but you SAW the warning signs!

Why do people think they are exempt from danger? These signs are not posted for the benefit of the scenery. Same goes to skiers/snowboarders who CHOOSE to go in areas of danger. Life is about taking risks, no doubt about it...but use your common sense once in a while

Amazing! I thought the news must have gotten it wrong when I first heard it!

Other newspapers and on-line are reporting that the Garners were "wearing only light jackets and levis". They make them sound dumb...They don't say a word about how resourceful they were, with the camper cushion "snowshoes" and all.

Way to go Garners...you are very determined (and blessed!) folks!

The best thing is to not get into that situation. If you do, keep your truck uncovered and brush on top of the white snow in a big, obviously man-made pattern or the rescue crews won't have a chance.

WOW!!!!!!!!! It's nice to hear good new this morning!!!!!!!
And may Heavenly Father bless the Davenport family...

Last Saturday I went up Mount Taylor near Grants, New Mexico. I was in a Ford Explorer traveling with my 10 year old son. While traveling on a remote back road at 9,300 feet we got high centered on icy snow. The snow was only 10 inches deep. In all we got stuck 5 times trying to retrace our path. Each time I had to dig us out. It took us 4 hours to go 5 miles. That night a huge storm moved in. If it weren't for the shovel my vehicle would still be in the mountains.

Don't be too confident in a 4x4.

It's a wondersful outcome, but how can anyone suggest that the rescuers, many who are volunteers who put themselves at risk for others, have somehow failed. I absolutely applaud their efforts and am thankful they do what they do. Let's not forget this couple put themselves in this risky situation in the first place and they got themselves out of it in the end. It's a wonderful outcome full of lessons learned and will no doubt be a great binding experience in their relationship.

Tom and Tamitha,
I've been following this story and you have been in my prayers from Cincinnati, OH. How grateful I am for the tender mercies that have been extended to you both. A great sigh of relief came to see of your rescue. May God continue to bless you and keep you safe with Krystal. I miss you from our days in Kearns, but glad to know you are well.

I also applaud the Garners for their resourcefulness and the efforts of the rescuers who attempted rescue in severe conditions, and condolences to the family of the rescuer who died. I also wondered why Medusa is in an animal shelter. The dog likely provided additonal body warmth to the Garners, and shared his food with them, according to the story. Seems a dog-loving rescuer or family could rescue this dog from the shelter.

I knew I was doing something valuable with my time watching the Discovery channel's Surviroman and man vs Wild.

I was told a good rule to follow in driving 4 X 4's: When you've gone as far as you can go in 2-wheel drive, put it in 4-wheel and turn around and go back. (Don't put it in 4-wheel and keep going until you get stuck!)

If God is to be thanked, why in the world did He let them get in that situation in the first place? Silly.

Congratulations on getting out of that horrible situation YOURSELVES! The human will to survive has saved far more lives than any god; and god has been the excuse for killing far more than can be counted.

Count on yourself!

I think the unfortunate thing is that they didn't stop to ask the elderly woman driver what the road conditions were like. It wasn't that they ignored the signs, they assumed that because a little old lady was coming down the road, the conditions must be safe (and honestly, I would have figured the same thing).

That they survived their ordeal at all is indeed a miracle! I got goosebumps when I read this story...I'm glad that this family had a happy ending.

Survivorman is one of my favorite tv shows!!! Now when someone says I waste to much time watching tv, I can say "It's not a waste, I'm learning important survival tactics!"

Question everything and think critically. Happy you made it out alive, condolances to the family of the man who died searching for you, and yeah, where were the heat sensors??? For whoever reads and considers all the variables of this situation, I would suggest that any applicable lesson or wisdom you can extract from the Garner's experience will be the happiest ending of all.

congratulations to you both. I am an older female and spend most of my spare time out and away from the every day world. My truck has good things stored in it ,like water and food, a shovel,a broom, some flares and a pill bottle with cotton balls that have been rolled in vasoline(great fire starter) even if your tinder is really wet. I hope I never get as stranded as you two were, but if I do, I hope I will think things through as well as you both did. You each have all my admiration. quinn

Glad this turned out OK.

Why didn't they check the weather before venturing off road?
Why didn't they have enough food and water?
Why didn't they let someone know exactly where they were going instead of searchers looking over a huge area?

I consider them absolutely lucky to be alive. Next time, don't go, this is winter, you know.

I am so glad the Garner's were able to get out of this horrendous ordeal and they are okay. Others haven't fared as well in circumstances like this, but I feel I have to comment on Tab L. Uno's comments. Number one, how dare you you attack the rescuers on this. Have you ever been in that area, and do you know how many little canyons, and how vast the area is? Do you know anything about the heat sensing devices? They only pick up what they can locate. They aren't set up to pick up everything in a 100 square mile area. Thus, if they aren't right in the area, they won't pick up anything. They also pick up everything. If a deer was dead and rotting, they would pick up that heat, if a rock was heated by the sun, it would pick it up. Have you counted all the storms that came through the area? Not to mention the truck was buried, and was grey in color, very able to blend in with the snow it was sitting on even if it wasn't covered. Have you ever tried to fly and locate an object on the ground?

more for Tab
Did you volunteer to help with the search? It's easy to have the choice to do nothing but sit back and criticize, isn't it? There was one life lost, would you have liked to have more die to make it a noble effort on the part of the rescuers? Most of them were volunteers, who had the choice of going out or sitting in their warm homes doing nothing. Utah has wonderful, scenic country, but it is very unforgiving if something goes wrong. Give us your expertise. What more would you have done? You seem to be the expert. There were thousands of miles searched, and thousands of manhours put into this. There was no definite plans and the Garners had been in alot of different locations, and no one knew where to look. Have you ever been in that part of the state? Until you are willing to participate in a rescue party, and until you can show your expertise, it's best in situations like this you just sit back, keep warm and keep your cheap shots to yourself, like you apparently did the 11 days the Garner's were missing.

Something about this story doesn't make sense. It's almost like the Garners planned the whole thing to get on television. They were prepared enough to have emergency blankets, yet not prepared enough to have food. Mr. Garner, an eagle scout, had watched enough TV to use seat cushions as snowshoes, but was inexperienced enough to get himself in a bad situation. I've spent thousands of hours in the backcountry, and the first thing you learn is to stay out of bad situations. Things just don't add up here...

I have blankets in my car, I have a flashlight, I have handwarmers, but I don't have any food. I've watched survival shows, what are you trying to say? I'm looking for my 15 minutes of fame? I'm sure the Garner's weren't looking for their own TV spot....

I'm just happy for them it turned out like it did, not a TV spot with the Medical Examiner's loading them up.

If it had been me, I would not have ventured into this unknown road near Panaca, Nevada. I would have been very careful to avoid this dangerous situation. But then, I grew up in Utah and know the situation well. I have made mistakes and then had to walk out on my own two legs. I would guess that this couple were very fortunate to escape death.

I think the reportage on this item is very level headed and worth the effort to read this item.

Thank you for your story.

I don't know how they did it. I don't think I could. Whatever they used to maintain their faith had to have worked wonders.
I thought I was smarter than the road department once (in late January) and drove 130 miles on US 666, from Alpine, AZ to Safford, AZ, from 7600 feet to 5700 in elevation, ignoring the NOT MAINTAINED IN WINTER signs. For 10 hours I drove through ice and piles of snow before rounding a hill and seeing the lights of a copper mine. I was emotionally shaken and exhausted, sleeping for 2 days. Had I gotten stuck I would have been a goner, ground rescue would never attempt driving on this road, only brainless people like myself. Don't do it folks. Readers horrified as I was to read this will pay attention. Even if I spend lots of time in Hot-Zona I have food, tools, and blankets behind the third seat in my SUV. It's easy to do and cheap.