After 10 days lost in the Santa Cruz Mountains with just a flashlight and folding scissors, Lukas McClish was rescued, shedding 30 pounds, dodging sun, and surviving a mountain lion—thanks in part to drones and a burrito.

Lukas McClish, a 34-year-old hiker from California, embarked on what was supposed to be a routine three-hour hike but soon found himself in a real-life episode of 'Survivor: Santa Cruz.' Reported missing on Father's Day, McClish endured a harrowing 10-day ordeal that included dodging a mountain lion, battling sunburn due to his albinism, and surviving on wild berries. Rescued by drones and a coalition of agencies, McClish credits his survival to ample water intake, makeshift tools, and a sheer will to endure—ultimately rounding off his saga with a much-deserved burrito.

Lukas McClish set off on his hike on June 11, 2024, expecting a peaceful communion with nature. Instead, he got more than he bargained for, starting with getting lost after wildfires had rendered familiar trails and landmarks unrecognizable. Missing Father's Day dinner was the red flag for his family, who reported him missing on June 16, sparking a full-blown search operation involving State Parks, Cal Fire, and the Boulder Creek Fire Department.

The search operation stretched on for days, but hope was reignited when deputies responded to reports of someone yelling for help in the area of Foreman Creek off Big Basin Highway on June 20. Advanced technology, including drones, played a pivotal role in locating McClish, who was found disheveled but overwhelmingly relieved. Various agencies, including State Parks, Cal Fire, and the Boulder Creek Fire Department, participated in the rescue efforts carried out by park rangers and fire crews. He was pulled out from a dire situation marked by hypothermia but still managed to crack a smile, probably just thinking about all the berries left uneaten.

McClish owes his survival in part to his quick thinking and unusual survival tools—a trusty flashlight and a pair of folding scissors. His albinism added an extra layer of challenge, forcing him to dodge the sun to avoid severe burns. He endeavored to stay hydrated, drank copious amounts of water, and found nourishment through wild berries.

Despite the harrowing conditions, McClish managed to keep some semblance of spirits. Using wet leaves as his mattress and a hollowed-out log as a makeshift bed, his nights were far from restful but provided just enough warmth to stave off the chills. He initially started with the hopeful mindset of testing his survival skills but quickly realized he was in over his head after several arduous days. After all, you know things are rough when a hollowed-out log starts to feel like a luxury suite.

When finally rescued, McClish was in rough shape but remarkably intact. He had lost 30 pounds and bore various injuries including severe sunburn, scrapes, and bruises. Rocks had embedded themselves in his back. His tale wasn't without its adrenaline-pumping moments – in addition to hiding from the sun, he had to outwit a mountain lion that had taken an unsettling interest in him.

His post-rescue priorities might seem trivial to the uninformed, but to McClish, they were monumental. A burrito and a taco bowl became his culinary reward for surviving in the wild, a small comfort after the privations he endured. The physical injuries will heal, but memories of his 10-day ordeal will likely be etched in his mind for a long time.

Without camping gear, a pocket knife, or even a cellphone, McClish learned firsthand the importance of preparedness, even on familiar hikes. His experience stands as a testament not only to his resilience but also to the effectiveness of search and rescue teams equipped with modern technology like drones. It's a good reminder: Sometimes the forest is less about finding yourself and more about making sure you have a way to call for help when you do.

During his 10-day saga, nature threw every obstacle at McClish. He faced periodic hypothermia from cold mountain nights, often sleeping on wet leaves or in hollow logs to maintain body heat. Sunburn became a painful adversary due to his albinism, and as if that weren't enough, he had to carefully forage for wild berries to sustain himself when hunger pangs became too severe to ignore. It seems like Mother Nature decided McClish needed the ultimate boot camp experience!

Interestingly, McClish embarked on this hike multiple times before. Confidence, or perhaps a pinch of over-familiarity, led him to leave behind essentials like camping gear and his trusty pocket knife. But this was the first time nature decided to show him who’s boss by erasing the familiar pathways and landmarks courtesy of widespread wildfires.

Lukas McClish's ordeal in the Santa Cruz Mountains isn’t just a story of survival. It’s also a scenario that gives new meaning to the old phrase 'expect the unexpected.' It serves as a reminder for everyone venturing into nature to be well-prepared, no matter how well-trodden the path might seem. And sometimes, even a flashlight and a pair of folding scissors might just save your life—or at the very least, buy you enough time for rescuers armed with drones and sheer determination to bring you back to safety.