A California hiker, lost for 10 days in the Santa Cruz Mountains, resorted to drinking a gallon of water from his boot before being rescued last week.
Lukas McClish, 34, set off on a hike on June 11, expecting it to last only three hours. He didn’t even wear a shirt. When he failed to show up for a Father’s Day dinner six days later, he was reported missing.
“I started my hike with just pants, hiking shoes, a hat, a flashlight, and a pair of folding scissors, like a Leatherman tool,” McClish, a Boulder Creek resident, recounted. “I ensured I drank a gallon of water every day. But as time went on, my body needed food and sustenance.”
His survival strategy included drinking water from his boot.
“I’d hike up and down canyons to find waterfalls and drink water from my boot,” McClish shared.
“I was kind of doing the water-diet thing,” said Mr. McClish, who relied on natural water sources, such as waterfalls. “If you drink a gallon and a half of water every day, you don’t need food until you run out of carbs. I lost 30 pounds in 10 days.”
McClish also survived on wild berries and slept on wet leaves, all the while yelling for help.
“I’d shout, ‘Help, help. I’m over here,’ or ‘Is anybody out there? I want a burrito and a taco bowl,’” he said, reflecting on his thoughts during the ordeal.
Navigating was a challenge as recent wildfires had altered landmarks in Northern California. Multiple agencies searched the area, and McClish was finally found in Big Basin State Park on Thursday afternoon.
“There were multiple reports of someone yelling for help, but pinpointing the location was difficult,” stated Cal Fire San Mateo-Santa Cruz on social media.
Despite being sore and losing his voice, McClish suffered no injuries. He expressed gratitude upon seeing the bootprints and pawprints of first responders.
“It was humbling and an incredible experience,” McClish recounted his wild 10 day stay in the mountains.
