Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Stranded Hiker Thought He Was 'In The Afterlife' As He Awaited Help
Nicholas Cendoya, 19, and Kyndall Jack, 18 (Photos courtesy of OC Sheriff-Coroner Department)
()
One of the two hikers who got lost for four days after an Easter Sunday hike is speaking out about his harrowing experience in Orange County's Cleveland National Forest.
Nicolas Cendoya, 19, went on a hike with Kyndall Jack, 18, but as night fell the pair realized that they were in trouble. They didn't bring enough water, they were fatigued and running out of daylight. They called authorities, but their phone ran out of battery. Cendoya said he was worried they wouldn't last the night. He picked up Jack and tried to carry her to their car, but somehow he fell and hit his head.
That's when the trip really took a turn for the worst. He described what he remembers—or barely remembers—to the Los Angeles Times, "I was just out unconscious. I can’t even tell you when I woke up... [Afterward] I was in lucid dreams, lucid hallucinations, every single day."
Cendoya thinks that Jack might have guessed he was dead, and that's how the two ended up separated. Cendoya ate plants and said his faith and the memory of a recently-deceased friend kept him going. Cendoya told the Times, "The whole time I was lost, I felt the presence of Jesus and my friend, Carlos, who died last year of cancer. I felt they were both with me, inspiring me to stay alive."
Support for LAist comes from
The hiker's hallucinations grew more vivid, and he thought that he might have died and gone to the afterlife. He was paranoid that predators were stalking him, and he grabbed a sharp stick that he used as a weapon to defend himself. He thought he saw Jack getting rescued, but she was actually rescued after he was.
Cendoya was rescued Wednesday night, and he doubts he would have lasted another night. He was severely dehydrated and disoriented. He thought his rescue attempt was just another hallucination: "When the firefighters came up, I didn’t believe it."
Cendoya was released from the hospital today.
Related:
2nd Missing Hiker Found After 4 Days Stranded in Trabuco Canyon
1 Of 2 Missing Hikers Found 'Severely Dehydrated And Disoriented'
Hikers Still Lost In National Forest After Easter Sunday Outing
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist