Authorities rescued a 50 year old hiker from a remote beach in Northern California where he had been stranded for five and a half days.  Phoenix Brooks was clearly disoriented and confused when Coast Guard rescuers plucked him from the beach via helicopter after he had finally been spotted by the crew of a crab boat working nearby.   

Mr. Brooks reportedly told investigators that he had fallen from a cliff, hurt his legs and ended up stranded on the beach without food, clean water, warm clothes, or shelter.  He also said he had drank from a small creek that ran near his location, but that the water made him sick.  He was unable, however, to tell authorities how he managed to get to the cliff he fell off of.  

However it happened, it must have been a hell of an ordeal.   Apparently a sheriff's deputy, a reporter, and a photographer were unable to reach Brooks' location by foot.  Yet another example of why bringing some food, a raincoat, and extra water is always a good idea.  

Still, pretty amazing story.  Here's to surviving.