A 49-year-old Japanese hiker who disappeared Sunday while climbing one of Southern California's highest mountains was found Tuesday with minor cuts and bruises, according to San Bernardino County Sheriff officials.
After spending two nights on Mount Baldy, Susumu Tamashiro, a resident of Los Angeles, was spotted by an off-duty firefighter around 10 a.m. while walking toward the East Fork Ranger Station in Cattle Canyon.
Despite being tired, thirsty and hungry, the hiker was considered to be in good condition. However, he was transferred to a local hospital for a routine checkup.
Sheriff's deputies had earlier dispatched helicopters and teams of rescuers and dogs to comb the mountain trails for the lost hiker. The rescuers were concerned because Tamashiro was wearing only light clothing and was not carrying provisions with him.
While lost, however, Tamashiro managed to find a mountain stream and drank from it, authorities said.
Tamashiro, of Okinawa Prefecture, reportedly became separated from his wife and daughter Sunday while the three were climbing the 3,050-meter peak from the Mount Baldy ski resort.