Lukas McClish‘s family have said they are ‘thankful, blessed and relieved’ after he survived 10 days lost in remote California mountains by drinking water from his boot and eating berries.
WHAT HAPPENED?
The shirtless hiker, 34, had set out on a three-hour walk through the Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Boulder Creek on June 11 after he visited a friend who told him there were rare granite outcroppings in the area.
Lukas did not tell anyone where he was going and had only brought a few supplies because he only planned to be out for the afternoon.
HOW HE SURVIVED
Speaking out on the ordeal after Lukas was rescued on June 20, his mother, Diane, told 5 KALB that some nights she ‘just had to trust God that he was going to be okay’ which was often difficult as she worried about where her son was sleeping and how cold it was.
The hiker drank water from a creek out of his walking boot, ate wild berries, and slept on a wet bed of leaves as he desperately yelled for help.
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HOW HE WAS SAVED
Finally, after a 10-day wait, someone heard his cries and called the emergency services, allowing Lukas to finally be reunited with his family.
‘I met a lot of people I had a lot of people tell me how much they love my son and how they just hoped we would find him,’ his mother said.
‘I didn’t realise that so many people in this town loved him,’ she added.
Also speaking to ABC 7 Chicago, following Lukas’ return home, the family said they are feeling grateful for all the help they received throughout the ordeal.
‘We’re so thankful and blessed,’ his mom said, while resting a hand on her son’s shoulder.
The family revealed added that due to Lukas’ recent 10-day horror, they would not be hitting the trails again anytime soon.
‘I did enough hiking for probably the rest of the year,’ Lukas chimed in.
On June 11, Lukas left his home with a pair of pants, his hiking shoes, and a hat, he told KGO-TV.
