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CHP Rescues Two Climbers From Big Sur Cliff

8/26/2026

28 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The California Highway Patrol rescued two climbers from a Big Sur cliff near Hurricane Point.
The rescue followed a request from the Big Sur Fire at about 6:24 p.m. on Aug. 22, 2026.
A CHP technician used a Pelican harness to hoist each climber aboard the H-70 helicopter.
CHP said both climbers survived and did not release their identities, drawing social-media praise.

History

Historical Context

The U.S. Forest Service’s 1976 high-altitude helicopter rescue on Mount Whitney, using a Bell 212 and a 250-foot winch at a cost of $1.2 million, set a precedent for aerial mountain rescue in the United States. Decades later, the California Highway Patrol applied the same helicopter-winch technique on August 22 2026 at Hurricane Point, reflecting the long-standing reliance on paid and volunteer mountain-SAR teams nationwide.

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Story summary

The California Highway Patrol rescued two climbers from a Big Sur cliff near Hurricane Point.
The rescue followed a request from the Big Sur Fire at about 6:24 p.m. on Aug. 22, 2026.
A CHP technician used a Pelican harness to hoist each climber aboard the H-70 helicopter.
CHP said both climbers survived and did not release their identities, drawing social-media praise.

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