"Jeeper" missing since Friday found safe at Hell Hole Reservoir, Placer Sheriff says

PLACER COUNTY – The "jeeper" who went missing along the Rubicon Trial in Placer County last week has been found safe, authorities say.

Warren Elliot, 70, was reported missing on Friday . He was originally with a group doing trail work along the trail ahead of a Jeep Jamboree scheduled for next weekend.

Sgt. Kevin Griffiths with the Placer County Sheriff's Office said Elliot went for a hike after as he was familiar with the terrain.

"He ended up getting turned around and went the wrong way down the creek as he thought he was heading back to camp," Sgt. Griffiths said.

Elliot survived five days on just a handful of berries and water from the Rubicon River.

"He said during the night, he was freezing. He would pull his hands inside of his shirt and just shiver all night long," Sgt. Griffiths said.

Search efforts have been ongoing since he was reported missing. Efforts have been focused on the Rubicon Trail area, a popular but expansive off-roading area.

On Wednesday, the sheriff's office announced that Elliot had been found safe at the Hell Hole Reservoir. He was found by a fisherman nearby on the lake.

"The fisherman who was out on the lake thought he heard an owl, and as he pushed farther onto the lake during his fishing, he actually realized it was a human voice," Griffiths said.

Deputies thanked all the search crews for their work.

"A heartfelt thank you to all the search and rescue teams who tirelessly assisted from across the state. We are also immensely grateful to Jeepers Jamboree for their support and hospitality extended to our search teams," the sheriff's office said in a statement.

More than 400 people helped to bring a fellow "jeeper" home to his family.

"That's why we do it. As volunteers, that's 100% why we take off work. We leave our family, 24/7, 365," Jerry Weidler, volunteer unit leader for Search and Rescue, said.

Elliot is said to be safe and uninjured.