Pam Bales’ tale will be featured in Naomi Watts and Billy Howle’s upcoming film Infinite Storm. Bales started out on a trail she’d hiked countless times before on that October 2010 day. Nonetheless, she left her itinerary in her car and with two of her Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue Team buddies, as was her routine. Pam cautiously climbed the trail, realising that poor weather would compel her to forgo a portion of her quest. All of her intentions were thwarted when she noticed footsteps, which appeared to have been left by a person wearing sneakers. Despite the rapidly deteriorating weather, Pam followed the footprints and discovered John lifeless and suffering from hypothermia.
- Movie: Infinite Storm
- 2022 ‧ Drama/Thriller ‧ 1h 44m
- Air date: 25 March 2022 (USA)
- Directors: Małgorzata Szumowska, Michał Englert
- Based on: High Places: Footprints in the Snow Lead to an Emotional Rescue; by Ty Gagne
Naomi Watts is a triumph in the “gorgeously shot survivalist drama” (@sfchronicle) INFINITE STORM. Now available to watch at home on demand! #InfiniteStorm pic.twitter.com/JKcVpmhld9
— Bleecker Street (@bleeckerstfilms) April 12, 2022
Pam Bales’ usual trip in October 2010 evolved into a rescue mission due to bad weather. Pam felt something wasn’t right when she saw footsteps in the snow while hiking around Mount Washington State Park in New Hampshire. Soon after, she came upon a man lying against a boulder in the middle of nowhere and decided to help him.
Pam didn’t find out what the hiker was doing up there until approximately a week later. ‘Infinite Storm’ is a drama adventure film starring Naomi Watts that tells the incredible story of Pam’s survival. So, if you’re wondering where Pam is right now, you’re in luck.
Pam Bales, Who is She?
Pam had been volunteering for the Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue Team in New Hampshire for several years by October 2010. She had planned a six-hour hike across Mount Washington State Park on her own one day that month.
She wanted to finish the hike and get back to her car before the weather turned nasty later in the morning. Pam reviewed the forecast at the higher summits at 8 a.m. on October 17, 2010, and it indicated that high-speed winds were a distinct possibility.
Pam was well-prepared at the time, with extra layers of clothing packed and backup plans in place. A few hours into the climb, she observed a solitary set of footwear footprints as she made her way up. Pam followed the footprints as the weather worsened, suspecting that someone was in trouble.
Despite the fact that night was only a few hours away, she knew she had to see if this individual required assistance. Pam followed the tracks into the woods and encountered a man wearing sneakers, shorts, a light jacket, and fingerless gloves.
Pam discovered the man leaning against a boulder, and he was hypothermic and didn’t reply to anything she said. Pam then undressed him down to his underwear and wrapped his feet in toe warmers. She chose the name John for him.
Pam wrapped John in her warm clothes, encircled him with a bivouac sack (lightweight emergency weather protection for sleeping bags), and stuffed heat packs into his armpits and other body areas. She then gave him electrolyte-fortified hot cocoa. Over the next hour or two, John began to feel better, telling her that he had become disoriented after following Pam’s path.
Pam then told John they had to go back in no uncertain terms. However, the weather had deteriorated significantly, and visibility was poor, making it difficult for Pam to retrace her steps. John appeared to give up at one point, urging her to go on without him, but she persisted.
They arrived at the parking lot after a six-hour descent. Pam used the heater in her car to warm up his garments. He didn’t respond when she asked why he didn’t check the weather forecast. Instead, John simply thanked her and drove away, perplexing her. Do you want to know how Pam’s life turned out following her life-changing experience?
What Happened to Pam Bales and Where Is She Now?
Pam’s search and rescue organisation president received a letter with a gift about a week after the incident in October 2010. It was from John, who requested anonymity. He said in the letter that he climbed up the trail that morning to commit himself when Pam discovered him. “She handled me with compassion, authority, confidence, and the impression that I mattered the entire time,” John wrote. It didn’t matter to me because of all that had gone wrong in my life, but I did to Pam.”
Pam subsequently stated she never found out who John was, but she liked to assume he took advantage of his second chance. Pam kept in touch with the cast and crew of ‘Infinite Storm’ on a regular basis. Naomi Watts, who played her in the film, claimed the hiker helped her understand the mannerisms and other small details like how she packed her rucksack in a March 2022 interview.
Pam was also more than happy to tell her tale in detail with her, which helped her grasp what had transpired. Pam expressed her admiration for Naomi’s performance in the role in the same March 2022 interview, saying that she did a good job portraying the nuances. Pam also praised the actress, stating that when her children saw the trailer, they thought Naomi acted exactly like her.
Pam was able to meet the actors and crew in person during the film’s premiere in New York. She is now in her sixties and lives in Texas with her family, spending roughly half of her week as a patrol volunteer at one of the region’s national parks.
There’s no turning back when it comes to making it out alive. Academy Award-nominated Naomi Watts stars as Pam Bales, an experienced climber tasked with saving the life of a stranger in INFINITE STORM. Based on the incredible true story, only in theaters March 25. #InfiniteStorm pic.twitter.com/nJd9Efdbyr
— Bleecker Street (@bleeckerstfilms) March 1, 2022
