Lost Hiker Survives 10 Days in California Wilderness
Lukas McClish, a 34-year-old hiker from Boulder Creek, Calif., set out on a solo adventure to explore a granite outcropping in the nearby woods on June 11. Little did he know that this excursion would turn into a harrowing 10-day ordeal that would test his survival skills and resilience.
Mr. McClish, an experienced backpacker, found himself lost in California’s Big Basin Redwoods State Park, an area devastated by the C.Z.U. Lightning Complex fire in 2020. The once familiar terrain had been transformed into a barren landscape, making it difficult for him to find his way back.
With only a pair of scissors and a night-vision scope as his supplies, Mr. McClish braved the elements, relying on natural water sources like waterfalls to sustain himself. He lost 30 pounds during his time in the wilderness, surviving on a water-only diet.
As the days passed, Mr. McClish began to realize the seriousness of his situation. He attempted to find his way back to civilization, following the sun in the hopes of reaching the ocean. Meanwhile, his family, concerned about his absence, alerted authorities and filed a missing-person report.
On the tenth day of his ordeal, Mr. McClish’s calls for help were finally heard. A drone spotted him, and soon after, state park rangers, accompanied by his father and brother-in-law, located him in a canyon. Despite experiencing hypothermia and injuries from a fall, Mr. McClish was relatively unscathed.
Reflecting on his experience, Mr. McClish expressed his love for the wilderness and his fearlessness in the face of adversity. His survival story serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the great outdoors and the importance of being prepared for any situation.
