[pct-l] PCT Thru hiker rescued....

[Wes Rose]

Wow, hope this guy hits the knees and gives thanks for getting cell reception

in Yosemite Valley while perched on a ledge 800 feet above the deck on a blustery 

day, being unable to ascend or descend from his position.  And this after TWO 

preceding falls.  Glad he's safe and (hopefully) sound! 



 

[pct-l] PCT Thru hiker rescued....
jmy09 at aol.com jmy09 at aol.com 
Fri Jul 24 23:48:18 CDT 2009 

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http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/2009/07/know-when-say-when-stranded-visitor-rescued-tiny-ledge-yosemite-national-park

 

Rangers at Yosemite National Park have seen plenty of visitors in perilous situations, 

but apparently even they were shocked when they saw the dire situation of a man

stranded on a tiny ledge.According to a park report, Park dispatch received a cell phone 

call from climber Daniel Susman around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 15th, in 

which Susman reported that he'd become ledged-out while scrambling on a 

dome near Merced Lake and that he'd need assistance getting off the ledge. 

He said that he wasn't in any immediate danger, but that he was unable to 

ascend or descend from his location. 



Such situations aren't especially uncommon, but this visitor was apparently a master 
at understatement. Upon flying past, rescue personnel were shocked to discover that 
Susman had downplayed his predicament. They found that he was standing on 
minuscule ledge, clinging to the rock on a nearly vertical wall approximately 800 
feet above the valley floor. Susman's position was deemed to be too tenuous to try 
to retrieve him directly by short haul.
 
The concern was that the buffeting winds from the aircraft might dislodge Susman 
from his stance before he could be made secure. The pilot, Richard Shatto, and the 
two spotters, Jeff Pirog and Boots Davenport, had a difficult time maintaining a steady 
hover with the aircraft due to gusting winds. Ranger Keith Lober was short-hauled into
a location 50 feet above Susman's perch where he power drilled three anchor bolts. 
 
Ranger Eric Gabriel was then short-hauled to the anchor station. Lober lowered Gabriel 
down to Susman, who was then secured in a "screamer suit;" he and Gabriel were then 
short-hauled off the face. 
 
Cell phone coverage in Yosemite backcountry is generally nonexistent. Susman was 
incredibly lucky, as the location where he became stuck was just high enough for the 
cell signal to peek over the surrounding rock faces and hit the Sentinel Dome repeater, 
the only repeater in that area of remote wilderness. 
 
Incidentally, Susman had sustained and recovered from two short falls just before 
deciding to stop and request help. Susman is reportedly on a long-distance hike and was 
passing through Yosemite when he decided to try the climb. He was free-climbing, with
no "protection" (i.e. ropes or anchors.) (He was also climbing in his hiking shoes)
 
Although it's a lot better to avoid getting into such situations in the first place, once things 
start to go bad, know when to say when! This one had a successful ending because the 
visitor followed rule #2-and a lot of things came together at the right place and right time
for his sake, including a highly-skilled pilot and SAR personnel.