Going camping can be an amazing adventure. From surviving in the open elements, to seeing nature in a way you never have before, it can be thrilling. 

But for one family, a fun-filled trip took a sudden harrowing turn, ending in a frantic search for their youngest member.

The 8-year-old boy’s terrifying experience of surviving two days alone in a snow-covered Michigan state park became viral, with everyone holding their breath until the young boy was found. Nante Niemi, along with his relieved parents, sat down with ABC News to describe his remarkable rescue, along with how he survived two nights alone.

I prayed for being found and not stuck out here for the rest of my life,” Nante said, reflecting on the scary moments he spent hoping for rescue.

The young boy, who is from Wisconsin, had been camping with his grandfather and three uncles in a remote part of Michigan’s upper peninsula when tragedy struck. The group had set out to collect firewood on Saturday when Nante suddenly went missing.

Nante Niemi, 8, went missing Saturday while collecting firewood in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Photo courtesy of the Niemi family.

Recalling the events, Nante said, “My uncle, he said to go back to camp. And I couldn’t say, I don’t know all the way back to camp, because he already turned around and left. I was trying to go diagonal into the part where we came from, and I ended up by like a river. I wasn’t even any close to the part where we first went up.”

Concerned for Nante’s safety, his uncle promptly contacted his parents and the authorities after the group’s first search of the area didn’t turn up the young boy. Lt. Jason Wickstrom of the Michigan State Police, who played a key role in leading the search effort, said that nearly 300 people rallied together, combing through approximately 60,000 acres of treacherous terrain in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.

Describing the challenging conditions, Wickstrom explained, “It’s very hilly, rough terrain. And this time of year, with snowmelt and the rain that we’ve had, there was a lot of standing water and the rivers were very high.”

Nante Niemi, 8, went missing Saturday while collecting firewood in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Photo courtesy of the Niemi family.

Nante’s mother, Jessica Buerger, anxiously shared her concerns during the search, telling reporters, “I was worried about the cold and that he was by himself in the dark, crying. You know, we were hoping that he wasn’t walking around at night and hunkered down.”

Meanwhile, Nante remained steadfast, determined not to give in to fear. He shared that he tried to maintain positive thoughts throughout the ordeal. When hunger struck, the resourceful young boy resorted to eating snow, a habit he had picked up during previous winters. Nante’s resilience was tested further when he spotted a helicopter overhead. 

“I was waving my hands in the air and yelling at them to get their attention,” he said. “I saw that helmet poking out of the side of the helicopter but they didn’t see me.”

Finally, on Monday afternoon, his wish for rescue came true. Nante was discovered sheltered under a fallen log, nearly two miles away from the family’s campsite. “I heard people yelling my name, and I saw one green thing hanging, and then I saw somebody. I ran straight to them,” he said. Nante was swiftly reunited with his family and provided with much-needed nourishment, happily enjoying a Clif bar and a sandwich.

Nante and his family organized a barbecue to thank the numerous volunteers and rescue personnel who dedicated their time and efforts to find him. Despite the terrifying experience, Nante’s love for the outdoors remains unwavering. When asked if he would go camping again, he confidently replied, “Yeah, I’m still going to go camping.” 

However, he added, he would definitely take better better precautions in the future.

Watch the inspiring young boy recount his adventure, below.

Sources: Good Morning America | ABC