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ST. GEORGE — At 6 feet 4 inches tall, 28-year-old William LaFever's weight was down to a near fatal 128 pounds when he was rescued from the deserts of Southern Utah last week.
He spent several weeks in the desert with little food, but was saved by a search party who spotted him in the Escalante River on July 12.
Will, as he likes to be called, is autistic. But in early June, he left his home in Colorado to come to Utah on a "mission." He told KSL News he felt he had to answer the call of the desert — that he needed to come to Utah to be reborn.
It was the most honest meditation I have ever done. It wasn't even a bad experience.
–William LaFever
As he prepared to board a bus to head home for Colorado Springs Thursday, Will admitted his adventure turned into a situation of life or death, but he said he believes his mind overcame his body.
"In total, I was about 35 days in the desert. My journey began on June 3rd," Will said.
A few days into his adventure, he called his father from Boulder to say that some of his hiking gear had been stolen and he had run out of money. He told his father he would make his way to Page, Ariz., where he'd be able to receive a wire transfer.
Will decided he would hike down the Escalante River to Lake Powell, where he would catch a boat ride to Page. That was all but impossible, especially considering the limited food and equipment he had with him.
"It was the most honest meditation I have ever done," Will said. "It wasn't even a bad experience."
He kept cool during the day by sitting in the river, but at night it was a different story. "At night I had just a thin sheet to curl up with, and I would be in a ball," he said.
He survived with really nothing but his own will power, and he used his mind to dream about foods he wanted to eat as he really ate snakes, frogs, plants and roots.
I was 128 pounds in Panguitch; and before that, a few months ago, I remember weighing about 165 pounds.
–William LaFever
"I've eaten things that would probably gross you out," Will said. "I was 128 pounds in Panguitch; and before that, a few months ago, I remember weighing about 165 pounds."
Will was quick to thank his rescuers and the medical team who nursed him back to health over the past week.
As for why he ventured into a very remote wilderness by himself, he said it is something he can't express in words. "I just had to do it. I can't explain it. I knew what I was doing."
"My mind didn't suffer. My body and my spirit didn't suffer," Will continued. "I have never felt such weakness, but weakness was only for the body."
Will has remained independent since his rescue. He did not want his family to visit him in the hospital and declined their offer to come to Utah to take him home.
Those family members told KSL News they are looking forward to reuniting with Will on Friday.
