Climber rescued after eight hours on a six-inch ledge high on Laurel Mountain

Rob Martin and a companion were climbing the Mendenhall Couloir on Laurel Mountain in California’s Sierra Nevada when Martin veered off the established line and stopped on a six-inch ledge more than 10,000 feet above the ground. The Mono County Search and Rescue team warned that remaining there overnight would likely result in a fatal fall. Because high winds ruled out a helicopter lift, rescuers trekked to the site at night, navigating hazardous terrain with headlamps.

Upon finding Martin shifting his weight due to cramping, they deemed immediate action necessary and sent a rescuer down from above to secure him with a rope system. The climber clung to the cliff for eight hours, and the overall rescue lasted about 15 hours, finishing in the early hours of Sunday. Martin later thanked the team, noting that his perseverance and their dedication saved his life.