A snowboarder is lucky to be alive after enduring a lengthy and terryfing ordeal in the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Aarin Yu was enjoying some fresh powder on Tuesday at the Heavenly ski resort when he said he accidentally plowed into an out of bounds area.
Yu proceeded to spend the next several hours alone with the elements, according to the California Highway Patrol.
"It was scary," Yu said. "I think it was one of the longest, coldest and darkest nights of my life."
A CHP helicopter crew on Wednesday pulled a battered Yu to safety.
He is recovering from hypothermia and frostbite in two of his fingers, but he is expected to be OK.
CHP officials used the event as a teaching moment.
California
In a press release, the CHP warned thrill seekers to obey all boundary signs at ski resorts and to never take on the slopes alone.
