Swiss Alp Survivor's Story

After weathering six days on a Swiss Alp mountain during one of the region's worst storms this season, college senior Matt Sanders received his greatest birthday gift ever - his own rescue. Four days ago, search-and-recovery workers discovered him alive just in time to celebrate his 23rd birthday and the new year.

"I never thought I was on the verge of dying," Sanders told CBS Early Show Anchor Bryant Gumbel. "I knew I still had a couple more days in me."

During his winter break, Sanders decided to climb the Brighthorn - a 4,000 meter peak which he had previously researched. After spending a day hiking and taking pictures, Sanders awoke the second day to a severe storm packing 124 mph winds.

Sanders said the storm took him by surprise, but he managed to fashion a shelter.

"It was somewhat of a semi-cave," explained Sanders. "It blocked the wind from the slope, and I just hunkered down into my sleeping bag and waited out the storm."

Sanders said he had a nice sleeping bag, a stove with just a minimal amount of fuel and about two days' worth of food.

Sanders' mother, Annetta Alms, said after six days she was resigned to the worst.

"He's very dependable," Alms said. "When he didn't meet me or my husband and his brother at the airport in Milan, I knew something significant had happened."

After spending the next few days atop a ridge where he could be visible, a helicopter appeared over the top of the mountain. A rescue worker carried Sanders to the helicopter balancing on a ridgetop and took him to safety.

Recovering from the ordeal, Sanders said he is "walking and getting around just fine."

Although doctors initially thought the hiker would lose one or more of his toes, it now looks as though he may only lose some tissue.

"He's always worked very hard and he's always researched his projects very well," Alms said. "And he's been allowed to make his own mistakes and his own decisions and suffer the consequences."

Despite the trying circumstances, Sanders said he will not stop hiking.

"It's going to take a while to get my confidence back up," Sanders said. "Next time I'll take a buddy but I'll definitely continue doing it."