SUNRIVER, Ore. — A Central Oregon man who survived stuck in the snowy wilderness for five days with only taco sauce packets to eat may now have received a very welcome gift for his troubles — free Taco Bell for a year.

36-year-old Jeremy Taylor of Sunriver became stuck on February 24 after driving up a snowy forest service road with his faithful canine companion, Ally.

"He awoke Monday to even more snow and was unable to get his vehicle unstuck. Jeremy had attempted to walk out on Monday, but the deep snow made it very difficult and he and Ally returned to his vehicle," the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said after finding Taylor.

The Sheriff's Office said that Taylor kept alive over the next five days by starting his SUV periodically to stay warm, and sucking down "a few taco sauce packets he had as food."

A snowmobiler discovered Taylor on Friday, March 1 before reporting back to search and rescue teams who recovered the man.

"Jeremy and Ally were found to be in good condition, but hungry after being stuck in the snow for five days," the Sheriff's Office said.

After Taylor's triumphant return, he responded to a friend's Facebook comment with "Taco Bell fire sauce saves lives!"

Taco Bell did not fail to take notice of the national attention garnered by Taylor's story and his trial by fire sauce — they quickly rewarded Taylor's loyalty: 

“We’re very glad Jeremy and Ally are okay. We know our sauce packets are amazing, but this takes it to a whole new level," the company's PR team said in a statement. "We’re in touch with Jeremy and have sent him a well deserved care package, a year’s supply of Taco Bell, and of course, all the sauce packets that come with it.”