Caught this on CNN. Not a lot of information out on this yet, but they have located one of the missing hikers. These two have been out in in the elements for four days now. It will be interesting to read about the details when they come available.

http://ktla.com/2013/04/04/search-underway-for-hikers-missing-in-trabuco-canyon/#axzz2PV3nmEWg

This is getting a lot of media attention. There was an extensive article in the LA Times this morning. One of the problems is the response of untrained volunteers who are flocking in to "help."

I am not at all familiar with Trabuco Canyon, but, in general, the southern California chaparral is unbelievably dense and difficult to penetrate, especially if it hasn't burned recently. You have to experience it to believe it.

Something just doesn't sound right about this story. You don't get lost for 4 days in that area unlesss you're trying to stay hidden.

Well, most of the ones who would hide out there are much better prepared to hunker down for multiple days. And would not have called 911 from their dying cell phone.

Based on the when they placed the 911 call (around 8:30 PM on Easter Sunday), they likely underestimated how soon they'd be back to their car when it got dark.
And they likely only had their phone, maybe a bottle of water and the clothes on their backs when set out, but we'll probably read more details in days ahead.

But they're not unusual: On our own little day hike down in Crystal Cove that same day, it was rare to encounter anyone with much more than a bottle of water (granted there are a lot of trail runners). As we pulled out from the parking lot in the early afternoon, a large (we assumed a church) group had just arrived to start their own hike.

Rescuers found both of them as of today, and they were both transported to area hospitals. News reports state they were separated. The guy was found without his shoes, extremely dehydrated and disoriented. He told a rescuer, when asked if he knew where he was, "Newport Beach". He was found about 1/2 mile from the parking lot. The woman has been found and airlifted out. Both were stuck in the dense chaparral when they were found.

Here's a topo map of the trail they were hiking along: http://www.mountainbikebill.com/images/Thumbnails/TrabucoHolyJim/HolyJimMap-LR.jpg

And a description of the colorfully named trail: http://www.greeneadventures.com/2011/02/07/holy-jim-falls-one-of-orange-countys-best-known-hikes/

Hmmm,rough country and prayer,injured deputy.And they were thinking it an easy 2.8 mile roundtrip.
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http://news.yahoo.com/2nd-lost-hiker-rescued-calif-forest-191748873.html

Cendoya was "extremely confused and disoriented," when he was found less than a mile from the pair's car..........

Rescuers had flown Cendoya to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, where Dr. Michael Ritter told reporters the teenager said he survived by taking shelter at night in heavy brush and passing his days by praying..........

"He's got a lot of faith in the Lord, which I think will help him to work his way through this," Ritter said.........

"He was in an area near where people were calling his name and he didn't even know it. It just shows the extent of his disorientation,"...........
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Kyndall Jack, 18, was weak and dehydrated but conscious and responsive when searchers plucked her from a rocky outcropping halfway up the wall in some of Southern California's most rugged backcountry.

A line was placed around her and she was hoisted into a helicopter.........

A reserve deputy aiding the effort suffered a head injury when he fell 60 feet down the canyon.......

Wow, glad to hear they made it out alive and relatively healthy. When I first read this post yesterday I thought it might end poorly.

Glad they were found. Sounds like typical SoCal hikers. Shorts, t-shirt, maybe a bottle of water. People just don't appreciate the harsh terrain, variable temp, and lack of water. 85F (29C) day and 55F (12C) night is normal.

Glad they found them both and they are going to be ok!

I hope and pray that the rescuer who took a 60 foot tumble will be OK as well. He is reported as being in intensive care for a head injury.

We all wish him a full and speedy recovery. In training our people we always stress that safety of the rescuers is the highest priority. We try to be as careful and safe as possible, but even so, bad things sometimes happen.

In Alaska, the SAR community is reeling from the loss of the Alaska State Trooper helicopter "Helo 1" (N911AA), which crashed last Saturday on a short rescue mission near Talkeetna. The pilot, a State Trooper who was flying as spotter, and a rescued snow machiner died. Most of us in the volunteer SAR community have flown missions with pilot Mel Nading. He was a wonderful guy and we will miss him greatly. I will be attending the memorial service tomorrow.

Please be careful out there.