Lost 3 Days, 2 Hikers Are Back Home : Emergency: Mission Viejo man and a friend are safe after being spotted by a helicopter pilot in the Angeles National Forest.

Tired and grimy, two elated hikers who were lost in the mountains for three days climbed out of a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department helicopter Tuesday afternoon and into the arms of jubilant and tearful family members.

Since 3 a.m. Monday, dozens of searchers had scoured more than 40 square miles in an attempt to locate Kurt Jones of Mission Viejo and James Underdown of Los Angeles, both 34. A television news helicopter pilot spotted the men, who had gotten lost while hiking near Mt. Waterman on Saturday.

“The worst part was worrying about [our families]” because they did not know the men’s condition, said Jones, a salesman for Waxie Sanitary Supplies in San Diego. “We knew we were OK.”

The men said they left their camp at Buckhorn Flat on Saturday morning and hiked to Mt. Waterman’s peak. After scrambling down a ravine, the pair got disoriented and could not find their way back.

Their legs covered with scrapes and scabs and their bodies caked with dirt, Underdown and Jones said they weren’t worried during the ordeal, but they also weren’t very comfortable.

“It was getting old--sleeping in the dirt,” said Underdown, a writer and stand-up comedian.

For the first two days, the men kept moving to find a way back to their campsite. After that, they decided to stay put and build a small shelter from branches and bushes, Underdown said.

“We really didn’t know where we were going,” he added.

To signal for help, they hung a red jacket from a 30-foot tree and used their shelter to keep out of the rain that came Monday night. Underdown said they were elated when the KCBS Channel 2 helicopter pilot, Bob Tur, spotted them.

“I thought, ‘Hallelujah, here they come. I’m sleeping in a bed tonight,’ ” he said.

About 12:40 p.m. at the command post on Angeles Crest Highway, word came over the radio that the two had been found. Family, friends and rescue workers burst into cheers and applause.

Deputy Don Wyman, spokesman for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, confirmed moments later that the hikers were healthy and safe about 1 1/2 miles southeast of Mt. Waterman.

“They’re walking. They’re talking. They’re dirty. They’re tired,” he said.

The hikers said they were never in any danger because they had packed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, water and matches. In fact, they even returned with half a sandwich and two matches to spare.

But Wyman pointed out that the weather had been foggy with temperatures in the 40s at night and that exposure could have become a serious problem for them if much more time had passed.

“I would have started worrying tonight,” he said.

Alison Jones, Kurt Jones’ wife, said she was always confident the men, who she said are experienced hikers, would be found in good condition.

“You do get that sick feeling and you’re worried . . . but I just figured it was a matter of time” before they were rescued, she said.

Underdown said later that he learned from the experience, adding, “We’re never leaving without a compass. And I’m probably never going to leave a trail for the rest of my life.”

Colleen Wainwright, Underdown’s wife, joked that her husband would have some explaining to do when she got him home.

“I think there will be some words exchanged outside the range of the mikes and cameras,” she said with a smile.

But first, she said, “I would imagine a bath is in order.”

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Lost and Found Two hikers, missing for three days, were found in Angeles National Forest. They had sufficient food and clothing to sustain themselves until rescuers made contact. *

Smart Hiking Some tips for campers and hikers on how to guard getting lost: Do not venture into wilderness without knowledge of area. Hike with a partner or group. Wear appropriate footgear and clothing for the season and altitude. Carry extra water. Stay on marked trails. Navigate with a map. Leave a note in your vehicle giving destination and return time; don’t deviate from itinerary. If lost, seek shelter and stay put until rescuers find you. Source: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department