OTSEGO COUNTY — A California woman competing in a YouTube outdoor survival contest was rescued Saturday morning after spending nearly 18 hours lost in the Pigeon River State Forest, according to the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office.

Per a Sept. 6 news release, Deputies said the 36-year-old contestant left the designated base camp in Charlton Township around 5 p.m. Friday to search for water but did not return.

When the contest hosts were unable to locate her, they contacted 911 around 5 a.m. Saturday.

A coordinated search began with assistance from multiple agencies, including Michigan State Police troopers, canine units and the MSP Aviation Unit. At about 10:40 a.m., a state police helicopter spotted the woman deep in a swampy area and guided ground crews to her location.

Authorities sa

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