Hiker Remains Alive in California Mountains, Maintaining Life by Consuming a Gallon of Water Daily for 10 Days.
Lukas McClish, aged 36, embarked on a seemingly straightforward hike in the Santa Cruz Mountains on June 11, as noted by CNN affiliate WABC. However, due to the damages inflicted by recent wildfires on nearby landmarks, he ended up getting lost.
His family raised the alarm when he failed to attend a Father's Day dinner on June 16, prompting the initiation of search and rescue operations, WABC reported.
McClish was ultimately discovered on Thursday, thanks to a drone from the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office, as reported by Cal Fire San Mateo in an X post. He was found inside Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California's oldest state park, plentiful with immense ancient coast redwood trees.
Cal Fire revealed that there were numerous reports of someone crying for help, but pinpointing the exact location proved to be challenging.
Upon recovery, McClish was found to be unscathed and was soon reunited with his family, according to the sheriff’s office.
In an interview with WABC, McClish described himself as exhausted and a bit achy following his ordeal. He also mentioned losing his voice.
All he carried with him during his time in the forest were the clothes he wore initially: "I headed out wearing a pair of trousers, hiking shoes, and a hat. I had a flashlight, a versatile tool like a Leatherman, and that was pretty much it," he shared with WABC.
McClish attributed his survival to regularly consuming large quantities of water. “I made it a point to drink a gallon of water each day, but towards the end, my body craved food and essential nutrients,” McClish said.
The sheer number of search and rescue personnel involved in finding him left McClish feeling humbled, as he shared with WABC, "It was a truly humbling experience."
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Despite being lost in the Santa Cruz Mountains for over a week, Lukas McClish managed to survive by consuming a gallon of water daily. Perhaps seeing the sheer number of people who came to rescue him, McClish expressed a sense of gratitude and humility towards their efforts.
