In a miraculous turn of events, missing hiker Lukas McClish has been found alive and well after spending 10 days in the treacherous Santa Cruz Mountains. The heartfelt reunion between McClish and his loved ones was captured in emotional photographs that showcase the immense relief and gratitude experienced by all.

The 34-year-old hiker embarked on what should have been a three-hour trek from his hometown of Boulder Creek on Tuesday, June 11. However, McClish soon found himself disoriented and unable to recognize certain landmarks that had been devastated by past wildfires.

Due to his failure to appear for a Father's Day dinner, McClish was officially declared missing on Sunday, June 16. Thankfully, just four days later, a rescue operation successfully located him.

Speaking about his ordeal, McClish admitted to feeling exhausted and a little sore, having lost his voice during his time in the mountains. He revealed that his minimal belongings consisted of a pair of pants, hiking shoes, a hat, a flashlight, and a pair of folding scissors resembling a Leatherman tool.

Despite the challenging circumstances, McClish managed to survive by consuming copious amounts of water. "I just made sure I drank a gallon of water every day, but towards the end, my body needed food and sustenance," he explained.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office confirmed that McClish did not sustain any major injuries during his time in the wilderness. The search efforts were considerably bolstered by the deployment of drones, as well as the assistance of the Cal Fire San Mateo-Santa Cruz unit, the Boulder Creek Fire Department, and CA State Parks.

McClish's rescue occurred after witnesses reported hearing someone shouting for help in a remote canyon in Big Basin State Park on Thursday afternoon. Search and rescue teams promptly rushed to the area and found him, bringing an end to his harrowing ordeal.

Expressing his gratitude, McClish was moved by the number of individuals involved in the search mission. He described the experience as humbling and profoundly impactful.

It is important to note that another missing hiker, Alex Stecher, was also sought by rescuers in Del Valle Regional Park. However, it is unclear from the provided information whether Stecher was found or not.

Both McClish and his family are overwhelmed with appreciation for the tremendous outpouring of support they received. They jokingly remarked that they had likely fulfilled their hiking quota for the entire year and expressed their gratitude for the safe return of their beloved Lukas.

This incredible survival story serves as a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of comprehensive search and rescue operations in safeguarding lives in challenging wilderness environments.