Resilient 10-Year-Old Found Safe After 24 Hours Lost in Washington Mountains

 10-Year-Old's Remarkable Survival Story

A remarkable tale of resilience unfolded in the rugged and remote Cascade Mountain Range of Washington when a 10-year-old girl, Shunghla Mashwani, was found safe and reunited with her family after being lost for 24 hours. The young girl had been separated from her family while playing in the woods near Cle Elum River in the Cle Elum River Valley.

The search began when the family realized Shunghla was missing during a lunch gathering at Cathedral Pass Trailhead. With no cellphone service in the area, the family scoured the surroundings for two hours until a passerby offered them the use of a Starlink phone. They promptly called 911, prompting an immediate search effort involving law enforcement, search and rescue volunteers, police dogs, and unmanned drones.

The search terrain was challenging, characterized by steep inclines, dense trees, and the fast-flowing Cle Elum River. Concerns grew that Shunghla might have been swept away by the swift current. However, after more than 24 hours, she was found approximately 2.5 kilometers away from where she was last seen. Remarkably, she had only suffered minor scrapes.

Shunghla shared that she had become lost while searching for a footbridge near the lunch spot and spent the night navigating through dense forest, battling the cold temperatures. Her resourcefulness and determination guided her towards the river, knowing it would eventually lead her to people.

The heartwarming reunion took place when two volunteers found Shunghla and safely transported her back to her family across the river. The Mashwani family, who immigrated to the U.S. from Afghanistan two years ago, expressed their love for hiking in the Cascade Mountain Range, as it reminded them of home.

This story serves as a testament to the resilience and strength of a young girl who persevered in the face of adversity. It also highlights the power of community support and the dedication of search and rescue teams in ensuring the safety of those in need.