Helicopter Rescue Saves Two Climbers on Big Sur’s 600-Foot Cliff
Two climbers stranded on a steep cliff near Hurricane Point in Big Sur were airlifted to safety by a California Highway Patrol helicopter on Saturday evening.
Around 6:24 p.m. on Saturday, the California Highway Patrol’s Paso Robles Air Unit was summoned by Big Sur Fire to assist two climbers trapped on a precipitous cliffside near Hurricane Point, roughly 600 feet beneath the coastal highway. An H-70 helicopter arrived, spotted the victims in a steep chute, and lowered a specialized rescue technician who remained attached to the aircraft’s hoist. The technician secured the first climber in a Pelican rescue harness, enabling a double extraction that lifted both the technician and the climber to a staging area.
The helicopter then returned to the cliff to repeat the hoist maneuver for the second climber, successfully bringing both individuals to safety. CHP officials described the mission as a high-risk, low-frequency rescue that requires precise training, noting the challenging terrain and environmental conditions left little margin for error. The operation took place while the Timber Fire, ignited on Aug. 8 in the Los Padres National Forest, continued to scorch more than 12,000 acres and was roughly 25 % contained. CHP thanked the cooperating agencies for their professionalism in executing the dangerous rescue.
Why it matters
The rescue showcases the skill and coordination of emergency services in hazardous terrain, highlighting public safety capabilities.
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