Santa Cruz, Jun 24 (AP) A hiker missing for 10 days was found safe in the mountains in Northern California, authorities said.

Lukas McClish, 34, left the rural community of Boulder Creek for a hike on June 11 and was reported missing June 16, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office.

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Witnesses heard someone yelling for help on Thursday and searchers were able to locate McClish with drones in the Big Basin Redwoods State Park, more than 7 miles (11 kilometres) from Boulder Creek, the sheriff's office said.

Photos show a dirt-covered McClish embracing family members in an emotional reunion. He was not injured during the 10 days and told KGO-TV he was able to drink water during the ordeal. He said he got lost during what was supposed to be a three-hour hike and couldn't recognise some landmarks destroyed by fires.

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McClish said he was moved to see all of the searchers who looked for him.

“It was just really humbling,” he told the TV station.

McClish did not return The Associated Press's request for comment.

Boulder Creek is in the coastal Santa Cruz Mountains and is about 68 miles (109.44 kilometres) south of San Francisco. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)