Thirty-four-year-old Sashank Upadhyayula was on his first solo trek last week when he thinks he was attacked by another hiker.
During an evening hike, he recalls hearing something that startled him.
VIDEO: Missing hiker found alive after spending 10 days in Santa Cruz Mountains
Missing hiker found alive after spending 10 days in Santa Cruz Mountains
"I pulled out my bear mace and my two knives and that's the last thing I remember because I woke back up in the water," Upadhyayula said.
On ABC's "Good Morning America" on Friday, the hiker was reunited with the group of teenage campers and counselor who rescued him after they found him bloodied and injured along the trail.
"It's really nice to have the finality of you being alright," one of the teenagers told Upadhyayula.
The local sheriff says the case is still under investigation.