To be honest, I really have not followed this story. I have not the slightest idea if the guy is crazy or if this is a blockbuster-come-true scenario. However, I have spent a considerable amount of time where the guy is currently hiding. The country is big, is absolutely full of rock outcrops, canyons, and small talus caves. There are also thousands of seasonal cabins/cottages that would be really easy to break into.
I actually spent some time living in the woods about 5 miles from where his truck was found. I cached a bunch of clothes/gear in a small talus cave for several weeks, and they were there when I returned. This was only about 200 feet off the road, near a designated camping area. My point is, it would be extremely simple to hide in this area for a long time. Also, the Pacific Crest Trail runs right through the area. Of course, there are almost zero black hikers (just a fact), so he couldn't blend in. However, it is easy to make one's way between towns following the natural topography. I personally would have no problem surviving in this area for long periods of time and remaining unfound, even if people were searching for me. There are mountain lions, but they do not present a real danger. I personally will be very interested to see how this story plays out.
