Sisters rescued in Wyoming woods relied on faith, experience

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Faith and past family backcountry camping experiences helped three sisters survive for more than four days while they were lost in a Wyoming wilderness area.

The sisters and their parents appeared in public for the first time Friday at a news conference in the resort town of Jackson. They thanked search and rescue personnel, volunteers and friends for their support and work in finding them.

On Thursday, a helicopter rescued 25-year-old Megan Margaret Andrews-Sharer of Milwaukee, and 22-year-old Erin Andrews-Sharer and 16-year-old Kelsi Andrews-Sharer, both of Columbus, Ohio.

The girls went backpacking July 1 and were supposed to hike out July Fourth. But they got lost in a remote area of the Bridger-Teton National Forest about 15 miles southeast of the resort town of Jackson.

They rationed their food and waited for searchers to find them.