Determined 10-year-old survives 24-hours alone in wilderness after getting separated from family

A 10-year-old named Shughla Mashwani, who miraculously survived a night alone in the Washington wilderness, credits her determination to find her family as the driving force behind her struggle. After more than 24 hours of being missing in the Cle Elum River Valley, Shughla was discovered alive on Monday, June 5, 2023, much to the relief of her worried family and friends, reports PEOPLE. 

According to the Kittitas County Sheriff's Department (KCSD), Shughla had been with her extended family at the Cathedral Pass Trailhead on Fish Lake Road when she suddenly became separated from the group. Her father, Shir Mohammed Mashwani, expressed his shock at how quickly she vanished, saying, "It happened in ten minutes and then she was gone." The dad told NBC affiliate KING-TV, “We didn’t think she would be alive in 24 hours.”

Shughla shared with KING-TV, an NBC affiliate, “I was thinking, ‘I will find my dad and keep walking,’" Her perseverance paid off when she was discovered the following day with only minor scrapes on her body. The authorities revealed that she was located approximately 1.5 miles away from the spot where she had last been seen. They further explained, "She hiked downstream through the dense forest and spent the cold night between some trees. She said she knew it was the right thing to follow the river."

"She proved an extraordinarily resourceful and resilient 10-year-old," they added. Law enforcement officials commended Shughla for her exceptional resourcefulness and resilience at such a young age. They were amazed by her ability to pass through the challenging terrain. Her family, overwhelmed with joy and relief, expressed their pride in her bravery and self-sufficiency during her time alone in the mountains.

The little girl's ability to remain calm and focused during a frightening experience serves as an inspiration to many. “Everyone is proud of her that she is brave and takes care of herself on the mountain,” her dad told KING-TV.  As Shughla Mashwani returns home safe and sound, her family is filled with gratitude for her survival. Their relief at her safe return is immeasurable, and they are immensely proud of her ability to take care of herself amidst the challenges of the mountain.

Shughla's story is a testament to the indomitable spirit of a brave young girl and the power of family bonds that kept her going through a night in the wilderness when anyone could lose hope of reuniting. The testing conditions either make one emerge out of it or break them, Shughla returned as a hero as she was rescued.