CHP air crew rescues two stranded climbers near Big Sur
The climbers were stranded approximately 600 feet below the roadway near Hurricane Point
– The California Highway Patrol Paso Robles Air Unit rescued two climbers stranded near Hurricane Point, just north of Big Sur, on Saturday, Aug. 22, according to a social media post by CHP Coastal Division Air Operations.
At approximately 6:24 p.m., the air unit responded at the request of Big Sur Fire to assist with a technical hoist rescue.
Upon arrival, the H-70 helicopter located two climbers stranded on a steep chute approximately 600 feet below the roadway. Because of the steep terrain and the inability to safely dismount from the hoist hook, a helicopter rescue technician was inserted to assist the first climber while remaining attached to the hoist.
The rescue technician secured the climber in a Pelican rescue harness, and the crew conducted a double extraction to rescue personnel waiting at the staging area.
The H-70 then returned to the scene and rescued the second climber using the same technical hoist procedure.
The California Highway Patrol said its air operations personnel continuously train for high-risk, low-frequency rescues involving steep terrain, hoists, and challenging environmental conditions.
The agency said, “There is no room for error when operating in steep terrain, under hoist, and in challenging environmental conditions.”
The California Highway Patrol also thanked personnel involved in the rescue for their “professionalism, coordination, and commitment in making this rescue a success.”
