On Saturday evening, a California Highway Patrol (CHP) helicopter crew performed a dramatic rescue of two climbers who became trapped on a steep cliffside near Hurricane Point in Big Sur. The incident unfolded around 6:24 p.m. when the Big Sur Fire department called the CHP Paso Robles Air Unit for assistance.
Rescue operation details
The CHP’s H‑70 helicopter hovered over a narrow ravine about 600 feet below the highway. A rescue technician was lowered on a cable to reach the first climber. Because the terrain was too steep to safely detach the hoist hook, the technician secured the climber in a Pelican rescue harness and lifted both of them together to a staging area where ground personnel awaited.
After delivering the first climber to safety, the crew returned to the ravine and repeated the maneuver for the second climber. Both individuals survived the ordeal, though CHP did not release their names or explain how they became stranded.
CHP’s ongoing commitment
The agency praised its air operations personnel, noting that “these high‑risk, low‑frequency rescues are exactly what CHP Air Operations continuously train for.” The statement emphasized that there is “no room for error when operating in steep terrain, under hoist, and in challenging environmental conditions.”
This rescue follows two other missions the same H‑70 crew completed earlier in the day. First, they hoisted an injured 13‑year‑old hiker from Pinnacles National Park in cooperation with a Paso Robles fire‑department helicopter technician. Later, the crew rescued a person who suffered severe injuries after falling from a waterfall in Big Sur Gorge. The unit also responded to a separate call in the remote Los Padres National Forest, where a hunter suffering from heat exhaustion and dehydration was airlifted to medics in King City.
Community response
Video of the Big Sur rescue quickly spread on social media, drawing praise for the CHP air crew and the ground teams involved. Commenters described the operation as “incredible,” “amazing,” and expressed gratitude for the dedication of first‑responders who risk their lives to protect the public.
Big Sur’s rugged coastline draws hikers, climbers, and outdoor enthusiasts year‑round, making rapid emergency response essential. The successful outcome of this rescue underscores the importance of well‑trained, well‑equipped state agencies in safeguarding both residents and visitors in California’s challenging terrain.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
