Three rock climbers were rescued Monday afternoon after being forced to spend the night on El Capitan. According to Park Spokesperson Scott Gediman, it was a two day rescue operation.
Sarah Land of Oakhurst, 25-year-old Walker Mackey and 23-year-old Rio Mackey, both of Boulder, Colorado were forced to spend the night after a 200-pound boulder broke loose above the climbers and struck Land as she was climbing.
After attempting to complete the route on their own, Land was forced to call for help Sunday but Park Rangers were not able to bring in a helicopter or initiate a rescue because of the weather.
An Army National Guard helicopter took two rangers to the top of El Capitan the next day, where they lowered themselves down to the climbers. The climbers where then lowered to the talus slope below El Capitan by the search and rescue team evacuated Land to El Capitan meadow and then to a local hospital for medical attention.
Over 30 Yosemite National Park Rangers, Yosemite Search and Rescue Team Members, and others assisted in this rescue.
Photo by Edie Howe of LittleRedTent.net.
Comments
3 responses to “3 Climbers Rescued After Night on El Cap”
Glad to hear the climbers were able to be rescued. I can’t imagine how traumatic an experience that must be.
I sure hope they paid for all the rescue efforts, and NOT tax payers. It just ain’t fair!
I think the climbers are tax payers, Ryan. Aren’t they entitled to be rescued?