On this day, July 25,2024, we commemorate an important day in Maine history. Eighty-five years ago today, an emaciated twelve-year-old boy named Donn Fendler stumbled out of the Maine woods after surviving nine days alone on Mt. Katahdin. He was covered with insect bites, scratches, and lost one of his toes. His disappearance sparked a massive search and rescue effort in which family, friends, forest rangers, bloodhounds, airplanes, townspeople, and the National Guard searched relentlessly for the boy. Many thought he was dead. The incredible tale of survival is told in his book Lost on a Mountain in Maine.
The story began on July 16th when Donn hiked up Mt. Katahdin with a friend and his family. Suddenly, a heavy cloud covered the peak and Donn became disoriented. He stumbled down the north side of the rugged mountain to a wild trail overgrown with prickle bush and covered with sharp rocks.
How did Donn survive this excruciating ordeal? He endured severe pain, despair, and even hallucinations due to dehydration and malnourishment…and he was alone. Here is what he had to say.
Now and then terrible, dark feelings rushed up into my head…they were always dark and empty…something that made my heart pound and my legs want to run.
On the day that he was rescued, he was so weak that it felt like all the bones had been removed from his legs. Fendler tells how he tripped over a root and fell flat on his face, unable to move.
I just lay there and waited. Suddenly, I felt something like strong, gentle hands and I felt myself lifted slowly until I was on my knees…and they were lifting and lifting.
Fendler believed it was his guardian angel. At first, he hesitated to speak of this supernatural presence. Here is what he said.
I believe in guardian angels and, on my trip through the woods, one of the things that comforted me and helped me to bring myself out to safety was this feeling that I wasn’t entirely alone.
Fendler often spoke of prayers he said every day on the mountain, prayers from the bottom of his heart. For the rest of his life, Donn had a strong faith in God and a determination to never give up hope, even in the darkest hour.
To Maine school children, Donn’s miraculous survival is a familiar one. For decades, Donn visited Maine schools to tell his inspiring tale of courage and perseverance. His story is included in my book Rescued! True Stories for Catholic Kids. The cover depicts Donn’s encounter with a black bear. Fortunately, the bear did not attack. He ran away, startled by the sudden appearance of a human being in the deserted wilderness.
Donn Fendler died on October 10, 2016, at the age of ninety.
