ISSAQUAH, Wash. – A runner who search and rescue volunteers spent days looking for around Cougar Mountain, only to show up back at his doorstep, has sent those searchers a thank you letter and a $1,000 contribution.

Michael Schreck says he was unconscious or suffered some form of amnesia.

"I am so grateful to you for looking so long for me," wrote Michael Schreck.

The 47-year-old from Issaquah writes that on Friday, May 18, he went for a long run on Cougar Mountain to relieve some stress.  He also says he had been deprived of sleep for two to three weeks.

Schreck writes that he ran from Wildside to the Squak Mountain Connector Trail, then to the West Access Trail and then on to the East side Trail.

At that point, Schreck writes he could not remember anything else except waking up, rolling under a log and pulling leaves over himself while in a fetal position.

By the following Monday, he says he knew he had to get out.

"I was extremely dehydrated and drank some muddy water and ate my energy bar," writes Schreck.

He walked back to Cougar Mountain to get his car, but it had been towed, so he walked home.

Schreck writes that by 7 p.m., he tried to hitch a ride home but nobody stopped.  After walking down several roads, he arrived home by about 11 p.m.

Nearly 100 volunteers canvassed the park's 11 miles of trails over that weekend without finding Schreck.  The King County Sheriff's Department has said they accept Schreck's explanation of what happened.