California hiker Lucas McClish went missing on June 11 during what was supposed to be a three-hour hike in his hometown of Boulder Creek. His family became worried when he did not show up for the Father’s Day family dinner on June 16 and filed a missing person’s report. McClish had been missing for nearly 10 days when he was finally found by a rescue team in the mountains.
Local Reports Aid Search Efforts
The Santa Cruz County Office announced McClish’s recovery in a Facebook post. The missing person’s report filed by McClish’s family spurred county officials into action. Within four days of sending out search parties to various potential locations, they had located McClish. Local residents played a crucial role in the search effort by reporting that they heard someone screaming for help near Foreman Creek off Big Basin Highway around 3 p.m. on June 20.
In their Facebook post, the Santa Cruz County Office wrote, “Deputies responded with State Parks, Cal Fire, and Boulder Creek Fire Department and were able to confirm it was Lukas McClish, who had been missing since Tuesday, June 11.”
Cal Fire, which assisted Santa Cruz County officials, shared a post on social media platform X, stating, “Multiple reports of witnesses hearing someone yelling for help, but the location of that person was hard to establish.” The Sheriff’s office expressed gratitude and acknowledged the team efforts of everyone involved, which resulted in a positive outcome.
Estranged Hiker Survived on Water Alone
Lost in the wilderness for 10 days without access to food or clean water, McClish’s survival raised questions. In an interview with ABC 7, McClish explained, “I just made sure I drank a gallon of water every day, but then after, getting close to the end of it, my body needed food and some kind of sustenance.” He had stored water in his boots and relied on this to stay hydrated.
Detailing his days in the wild, McClish shared with KSBW, “I go up a canyon, down a canyon to the next waterfall and sit down by the waterfall and drink water out of my boot.” In addition to drinking from his boot, McClish ate wild berries and slept on wet leaves. He recounted how he would scream, “Help, help. I’m over here,” and sometimes shout, “Is anybody out there? I want a burrito and a taco bowl.” These thoughts of food became more frequent as the days went on, especially after the first five days when he started to realize the severity of his situation.
McClish had embarked on his hike with minimal supplies, expecting it to be a short trip. He was equipped with only a pair of pants, hiking shoes, folding scissors, a flashlight, and a hat.
Reflection and Conclusion
Upon reflection, McClish described the experience as humbling. Despite his ordeal, he expressed a positive outlook, noting that he probably had enough hiking to last him for the rest of the year. His survival story underscores the importance of preparation and the incredible resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
McClish’s story is a testament to the effectiveness of community cooperation and the dedication of local authorities and rescue teams. His safe return brought relief to his family and highlighted the critical role of timely reporting and community vigilance in search and rescue operations.