[A helicopter flying over mountains. Photo Credit to Unsplash]

Lukas McClish, 34, has been found 10 days after getting lost while hiking in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

McClish originally planned to go on a brief three- hour hike in the mountains near his house to look at an outcropping for his job, which is to landscape mountains that have been ravaged by fires.

Despite not reaching his destination within the expected time, McClish, an experienced hiker and backpacker, did not worry.

It was not unusual for him to extend his hikes to one or two days.

However, on the fifth day, McClish decided to return home and realized he was lost.

The recent wildfires had transformed the landscape into a barren, featureless expanse, making it impossible for McClish to backtrack.

McClish found himself surrounded by walls of underbrush, which made it even harder to retrace his steps.

He had only a flashlight, a pair of folding scissors, and the pants, hiking shoes, and hat he was wearing.

McClish didn’t tell anyone he was going on a hike.

When he didn’t show up for dinner on Father’s Day, his family reported him missing and multiple search parties went out to try and find him.

During his ordeal, McClish relied on nearby water sources, even drinking water from his boot to stay hydrated.

"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," McClish said.

Despite the harsh conditions, McClish was active, hiking up and down canyons in search of water.

He reported feeling a strange sense of calm, even as a mountain lion trailed him from a distance.

“It felt like the lion was there to protect or safeguard me,” he said.

At night, McClish would lay on a pile of leaves while he yelled for help and dreamed of a more comforting and filling meal.

Multiple witnesses heard the yelling and reported it to the local fire department but said that it was difficult to establish a location for the shouting.

The breakthrough came when drones spotted McClish near a remote canyon in Big Basin State Park.

A rescue dog eventually led the search team to a tired but thankful McClish, and who was soon reunited with his friends and family.

While McClish was hungry and aching, he luckily did not suffer any major injuries.

"It was just really humbling and I don't know, it was an awesome experience," he reflected.

Experts advise that if lost in the wilderness, it is crucial to stay put, remain calm, and signal for help using items like whistles, mirrors, or flashlights.

Identifiable landmarks can also aid in navigating back to safety.

Knowing basic survival skills can make a huge difference in such situations.