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Colorado Trail Mountain Biker Recounts Near-Death Hypothermia Experience and ‘Guardian Angel’ Encounter
A woman who faced death on a demanding mountain biking trail in America has shared her harrowing experience, describing how she believes a guardian angel intervened to save her life. Jen Roby, 36, embarked on a solo cycling challenge in August 2024, tackling the renowned Colorado Trail, a 540-mile route stretching from Denver to Durango.
Solo Journey on the Colorado Trail Turns Perilous
After eleven days navigating the largely unpaved, high-altitude terrain, the adventurous cyclist found herself physically exhausted and intensely cold as a severe weather system approached. Equipped only with a bivvy bag – a waterproof outer layer for a sleeping bag providing minimal shelter – the Colorado-based artist sought refuge amidst the mountains for the night.
Onset of Hypothermia in Freezing Conditions
Despite initial cold, intensifying rain and completely saturated gear led to the rapid onset of hypothermia. Recalling the terrifying ordeal in an interview, Roby stated, “I had read that hypothermia can take hold in just a few hours. Given my condition, I realized my situation was critical.”
“My shivering intensified, and my breathing became very shallow,” she continued. “Tears streamed down my face, freezing on my cheeks as I questioned if this was to be my end… merely one frigid night, just a day shy of completing my cycling expedition.”
Jen Roby, 36, undertook a solo mountain bike journey along the 540-mile Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango.
Near-Death Experiences and a Mysterious Presence
“Panic surged through me as I struggled to regain control of my failing body,” Roby recounted. She disclosed experiencing several episodes of unconsciousness, each feeling like a near-death experience.
During the third instance of losing consciousness, described as “everything going black,” Roby asserts she sensed a presence, which she now attributes to a guardian angel. Although she did not visually perceive a figure, Roby felt a distinct sensation of not being alone in the darkness.
Struggling for Survival in a Bivvy Bag
The outdoors enthusiast described her confinement: “At one point, I contorted myself onto my side to create a pocket of air within the bivvy bag. It genuinely felt like being in a coffin, subjected to waterboarding. I felt each raindrop striking through the thin material and was unable to retain any warmth.”
“Time dragged on agonizingly slowly as I contemplated my chances of survival,” she explained. “Then, unexpectedly, I felt a warm hand on my lower back, and warmth radiated through me. My breath hitched, and I drifted into a hazy, tranquil state.”
A Voice of Reassurance Amidst Delirium
In this “delirious state,” Roby recounts hearing a “soft but distinct” voice assuring her that “everything was going to be ok.” Subsequently, she cannot fully account for what transpired.
Still profoundly affected by the experience months later, she affirmed, “Something or someone was present with me. It defies easy explanation. My bivvy bag was incredibly small, yet I felt as if another being was inside it with me.”
After 11 days on the largely unpaved high altitude track, the adventurer found herself depleted of energy and frozen cold as a terrifying weather front rolled in
As her gear became saturated, hypothermia began to take hold amid the worsening conditions.
Roby further added, “Initially, I considered whether I was hallucinating or experiencing a terrifying nightmare. I distinctly recall intense fear as I felt myself losing touch with reality, and my breathing spiraled out of control.”
Flashbacks and Confronting ‘Death’
As consciousness waned, Roby described experiencing flashbacks of past near-death experiences, including a car accident and a biking incident the previous year that resulted in a severe concussion.
In that moment, she personified “death” as a male figure, believing he had come to claim her. In a diary entry written after the ordeal, and shared, the adventurer reflected: “He has visited me repeatedly over the years. Yet this time, I fear he has finally come to take me. Everything has culminated in this moment, and I feel a painful nostalgia recalling that I foresaw this long ago.”
Encountering Michael and a Friend’s Name
“I am convinced that death is within the tent with me. I am uncertain why he would offer reassurance, but I am quite certain that if any light appears, I will willingly move toward its warmth. Death is beginning to feel like a strange embrace, and in this moment, I would yield to any whisper of solace.”
While feeling as though she was succumbing to death, Roby sensed a “relentless struggle” within her, followed by hearing a male voice utter several words: Michael and “your friend.” Subsequently, she recalled, “darkness enveloped me one last time,” and she lost all awareness.
Miraculous Survival and Discovery of Loss
However, miraculously, hours later, she awoke to “the song of a single bird” as morning light illuminated her bivvy bag.
She believes that during her near death experience, she was able to connect with a friend who she later found out had died shortly afterwards
While her near death experience left its mark, it hasn’t put Ms Roby off adventuring and she currently plotting her next big trip, with Antarctica on the radar
Describing her realization of survival, Roby stated, “My body was incredibly stiff, and my neck throbbed with pain. But I was still alive. I genuinely could not believe it. All I remember is tearing my way out of the bivvy and sitting upright for a long time. I was overwhelmed by the sensations flooding me. I had somehow survived the darkest night of my life.”
Spiritual Interpretation and Lingering Questions
Though not religious, Roby interprets the name Michael as signifying “St. Michael,” a significant figure in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, known as a powerful spiritual protector against evil.
Subsequently, she learned that a close friend had passed away during her near-death experience. She now believes that during that experience, she connected with her friend for a final time before his passing.
Drawing strength from this profound event, Roby remounted her bike and successfully completed her arduous journey, conquering all 540 miles of the Colorado Trail. While the experience left an indelible mark, it has not deterred Roby from seeking adventure, and she is currently planning her next major expedition—to Antarctica.
This journey would mark her reaching her final continent. The content creator, known online as @nomadnoplans, concludes: “I still grapple with the questions of when and why people depart from our lives. It feels deeply unfair that some are granted second or even multiple chances, while someone I valued like a brother faced a sudden, tragic accident.”
“I cannot shake the profound connection to Brandon, both in life and beyond, particularly since I heard his name, alongside Michael, resonate in my thoughts that morning. Life can be so cruel and fleeting. Though it is not my story to fully tell, Brandon will forever hold a place in my heart, and I will always remember that harrowing August night.”