Full Breakdown
Helicopter Hoist Rescue Saves Two Climbers Near Hurricane Point, Big Sur
8/26/2026, 4:24:09 AM
Rescue Operation Near Hurricane Point
On a Saturday evening, two climbers became stranded on a steep chute roughly 600 feet below the roadway near Hurricane Point, just north of Big Sur on California’s Central Coast. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) Air Operations unit, operating an H-70 helicopter from its Paso Robles base, was dispatched after Big Sur Fire requested assistance at approximately 6:24 p.m. Upon arrival, the crew located the climbers and began a technical hoist rescue. Because the terrain prevented the victims from safely disconnecting from the hoist hook, a rescue technician was lowered while remaining attached to the hoist, secured each climber in a Pelican rescue harness, and then lifted both the technician and the climber together to a staging area. The helicopter returned to repeat the maneuver for the second climber, completing a double-extraction that brought both individuals to safety.
Background: CHP Air Operations and Recent Missions
The CHP’s Coastal Division Air Operations unit routinely trains for high-risk, low-frequency rescues involving steep terrain, hoist operations, and challenging environmental conditions. The same H-70 crew had conducted two separate rescues earlier that day: an injured 13-year-old hiker from Pinnacles National Park and a severely injured person who fell from a waterfall in the Big Sur Gorge. These prior missions illustrate the unit’s readiness to respond to multiple emergencies in rapid succession.
Timeline of the Rescue
- Around 6:24 p.m. – Big Sur Fire contacts the Paso Robles CHP Air Unit for assistance.
- Shortly before 6:30 p.m. – The H-70 helicopter arrives, locates the two climbers, and begins the hoist operation.
- First extraction – A rescue technician is lowered, secures the first climber in a Pelican harness, and lifts both to the staging area.
- Second extraction – The helicopter returns to the cliff, repeats the hoist procedure, and extracts the second climber.
Technical Details and Data
- Location: Hurricane Point, north of Big Sur, California.
- Vertical distance: Approximately 600 feet below the roadway.
- Aircraft: CHP H-70 helicopter, part of the Paso Robles Air Unit.
- Rescue method: Double-extraction using a Pelican rescue harness and a single hoist line, with the technician remaining attached throughout each lift.
Official Statements & Responses
The agency also thanked all personnel involved for their professionalism, coordination, and commitment, noting that the successful outcome reflected the unit’s extensive preparation for such scenarios.
Significance of High-Risk Hoist Rescues
This incident underscores the critical role of specialized aerial rescue capabilities in California’s rugged coastal terrain. The ability to conduct precise hoist operations from a helicopter enables rapid extraction of individuals who are otherwise inaccessible by ground teams. Moreover, the rescue highlights the importance of inter-agency coordination—Big Sur Fire’s request and the CHP’s swift response—demonstrating a model for handling future emergencies in similarly remote or hazardous locations.
