SEATTLE (AP) – A snowshoer who was lost in a blizzard for two days on Washington state's Mount Rainier said he stayed alive by digging out a snow tunnel and burning his paper money for warmth.

Yong Chun Kim, 66, of Tacoma, told KOMO-TV of Seattle that he had fire starters with him and first burned some leaves. Then he started burning personal items: his socks and then $1 and $5 bills from his wallet.

Kim also said he marched in place to keep warm and took cover in a tree well – the hole in the snow under a tree. He fought off sleep but dreamed of his wife and a nice hot sauna. ``I found a big tree and got inside'' the well, he said in a telephone interview Tuesday. ``I'm worried. It's cold, so I want to move around.''

He initially made a shelter near a big rock and tried to stay warm. He tried to keep walking, but at times ``the snow was so deep, I couldn't breathe.'' He made a fire, drank hot water, and ate rice.