Missing California Man Turns Canyon Trip into 10-Day Survival Reality Show

Missing California Man Turns Canyon Trip into 10-Day Survival Reality Show

3 minute read
Published: 6/22/2024

Lukas McClish, 34, survived 10 days in a remote California canyon, drinking boot water and dodging mountain lions before being rescued near Santa Cruz with little more than a flashlight and folding scissors.

Lost in the wild and munching on berries like a displaced forest ranger, Lukas McClish endured an unexpected 10-day wilderness retreat near Santa Cruz after a scenic stroll turned into a survivalist boot camp. With a mountain lion as his only Instagram follower, McClish relied on creek water, wild berries, and some surprisingly cushy wet leaves for sustenance and comfort. His family reported him missing, prompting a high-tech rescue mission involving drones and state park rangers, who ultimately located the resourceful camper and reunited him with society—looking surely more rugged than when he first ventured out.

McClish was last seen on the morning of June 11, 2024, around Big Basin Redwood State Park, just 14 miles north of Santa Cruz. His family reported him missing on June 16, 2024, not realizing that he had unwittingly extended his day hike into a full-blown survival saga.

Several days later, on June 21, a semblance of hope emerged when witnesses near Foreman Creek reported hearing faint cries for help. The eerie calls echoed through the canyon like an avant-garde opera performance, sparking the search efforts into high gear.

To triangulate McClish's exact location, rescue teams deployed drones equipped with thermal imaging. The technology pierced through the dense canopy, finally illuminating the remote canyon where McClish was found. Honestly, it was like searching for Wi-Fi in a coffee shop—thankfully, the drones had better luck!

State Parks rangers were the first to lay eyes on Lukas McClish, the disheveled yet resilient hiker, nestled in a secluded area with no discernible trails or roads. Fire crews shortly arrived to assist in the extraction operation, which oddly resembled an unscripted episode of a survivalist TV show.

Jack of all trades but master of none, McClish survived his ordeal by hydrating with creek water and, on desperate occasions, drinking water from his boot—a move that could inspire future hydration trends. Wild berries were his primary food source, although he humorously lamented their lack of nutritional diversity.

Apart from a noticeably plumper beard, McClish was in surprisingly good health when discovered. "I had no major injuries, just a newfound respect for the berries and creeks of California," he quipped upon being reunited with his family.

Armed with nothing more than a flashlight and folding scissors, McClish's makeshift toolkit proved inadequate for a TikTok tutorial but oddly sufficient for 10 days in the wilderness. His nightly accommodations consisted of wet leaves, which, despite their humble appearances, offered a surprisingly comfortable repose.

Perhaps the most startling revelation of McClish's adventure was that he had an inadvertent companion: a mountain lion. The big cat followed him but maintained a considerate social distance, perhaps respecting McClish's personal space or just waiting for him to lead the way to better prey.

Navigating the labyrinthine forest to rescue McClish proved no small feat for the rescuers either. The treacherous terrain required a four-wheel drive vehicle, and even then, maneuvering through densely wooded areas was akin to slicing through a particularly stubborn fruitcake.

Reunited with his family, McClish downplayed the ordeal, admitting, "I never realized that 10 days in the wilderness would turn me into a purveyor of survival hacks. It's remarkable what you'd do when a mountain lion is your life coach."