Authorities explore how Larry Schnackenberg was able to survive July weather elements

LENEXA, Kansas - Missing for almost a month and living outside in the rain and heat authorities are now exploring how Larry Schnackenberg was able to survive the elements.

Metro resident Dennis Wise considers himself an outdoor expert. He spent three months in Alaska with his daughters for a Discovery Channel show where he lived only off the land.

“We had just some of the very basic necessities and we had to provide our own water and food. We only had a little bit of shelter” said Wise.

Wise said he’s also very familiar with Shawnee Mission Park and the surrounding area where authorities believe Larry Schnackenberg spent 20 days living outside and enduring July's intense weather elements.

Wise said the terrain of the area provided everything he needed to live: shelter from the woods, water from surrounding streams, and food.

“There is food in those woods. There are things like acorns, there are goose berries, black berries and insects.”

Snackenberg remains at the Shawnee Mission Medical Center in good condition where doctors continue to examine both his physical and mental state.

Dennis said he’s not surprised Snackenberg survived.

“Survival instincts kick in. You are thirsty so you find water. You are in the heat, so you find shade. These are natural instincts that are built in and we're not that many generations from living off the land.”

There are still many details that have yet to be released in this case.

While Schanckenberg has yet to say how he survived, his family is just happy he’s alive.