When Kati Kim and her husband James set out with their daughters — Penelope, 4, and Sabine, 7 months — in 2006, they expected a simple Thanksgiving visit with family in Seattle. But their drive home to San Francisco would soon take a tragic and unimaginable turn.
The couple left Seattle the evening of Nov. 25, planning to spend the night in Gold Beach, Oregon. Around 9 p.m., after dinner, a fierce coastal storm rolled in. They missed a crucial highway turn and accidentally followed a remote road — one known for being nearly impassible during winter.
As conditions worsened in the mountains, snow blocked their path. The Kims tried to turn back toward lower elevation, but driving became too dangerous in the heavy rain. They pulled over, planning to rest until morning. Instead, they awoke trapped by deep snow.
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For three days, they remained in their 2005 Saab, running the heater until the gas and battery were drained. Once the car could no longer provide warmth, they burned its tires to keep from freezing.
Food was scarce — baby food and Cheez Whiz. James ate a few wild berries but gave them up quickly, worried they might be toxic.
On the morning of Dec. 2, desperate for help, James set out on foot. He left wearing layered clothing, confident he could return by early afternoon. He never made it back.
Alone with two young children and rapidly declining conditions, Kati focused only on protecting the girls. Weak and snowed in, she stayed with the car, hoping help would arrive. She managed to make several calls, which later helped authorities pinpoint their location.
On Dec. 4, a search helicopter spotted Kati — she had spelled “SOS” in reflective tape across an umbrella and waved it frantically. The rescue effort had grown into the largest search operation in Oregon’s history.
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After nine days stranded in the wilderness, Kati and her daughters were finally brought to safety. Despite everything they endured, doctors described them as remarkably healthy.
The relief of rescue, however, was quickly overshadowed by heartbreak. James’ body was later discovered in a remote canyon approximately 20 miles from the car — not far from a place where rescuers had been searching. He had covered an astonishing distance through brutal terrain, all in an effort to save his family.
James was widely remembered for his bravery — rationing food, creating a makeshift camp, and ultimately risking his life for his wife and children. Friends described him as a devoted father, someone who always put loved ones first and would do anything to protect them.
Through resilience, quick thinking, and a father’s sacrifice, two children and their mother survived one of the most devastating winter survival stories in recent memory.
