The unexpected plot twist: how a solo hiker stayed alive after shattering her pelvis in Joshua Tree National Park

Conversations

Claire Nelson hadn't told anyone where she was going, and her phone lost signal shortly into her hike. As an experienced bushwalker, she never dreamed an adventure would turn out like this. (R)

Claire Nelson was hiking alone in Joshua Tree National Park in 2018, when she slipped on a stack of boulders and fell 25 feet to the ground.

The impact shattered Claire’s pelvis, and she couldn’t even raise herself on her elbows, let alone stand.

She could reach her phone, but in the middle of the Californian desert it was out of range.

Looking at the maps she'd downloaded, Claire realised she'd walked way off the trail, so there was no chance of another hiker coming by.

Day after day, Claire lay on her back in the scorching sun hoping she could last long enough for someone to realise she was missing.

This episode of Conversations touches on mothers, mountains, epic stories, deserts, hiking, solo adventuring, catastrophe, wilderness, big nature, injuries, Joshua Tree National Park, survival, rattlesnakes, coyotes, travel in the USA, travel insurance.