Solo Climber Fell on a California Mountain. It Took 28 Hours and 5 Helicopters to Save Her.

A daring, two-day rescue mission brought a severely injured climber to safety after she fell near the summit of Mt. Williamson—California’s second-highest peak—on July 2.

At 13,600 feet, the solo female climber activated her Garmin InReach SOS after falling off-route near the mountain’s West Chute. She lost her backpack with food, water, and clothing, and suffered a gruesome lower leg injury with bone protruding through the skin. Despite the severity, she remained calm and responsive throughout the ordeal.

Weather quickly complicated the response. Thunderstorms grounded CHP’s H-40 helicopter, which had to return to base. That night, four Inyo County SAR volunteers were flown in by China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station’s VX-31 helicopter and hiked through rugged terrain from 10,500 feet to reach her.

By July 3, rescuers made contact—but steep, narrow terrain made helicopter extraction nearly impossible. Attempts by CHP and LA County’s Air 5 were thwarted by altitude limitations. Finally, the California National Guard’s Blackhawk Spartan 164 succeeded in hoisting the climber to safety around 7:15 p.m.—28 hours after her distress call.

The mission required five helicopters, multiple agencies, and nearly 30 hours of nonstop coordination, mountaineering, and aerial work.

“This mission is a powerful reminder of the dangers of high-altitude mountaineering and the extraordinary efforts behind each rescue,” said the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office. They praised the climber’s “enormous bravery and fortitude” throughout the ordeal.

She was airlifted to Bishop Airport and transferred to medical care. All SAR team members were safely extracted.

This rescue is nothing short of heroic.