Authorities are praising the bravery and resolve of a female solo climber after she suffered a nasty injury near the top of Mt. Williamson in California.
According to a report by Inyo County Search and Rescue, the climber ran into trouble on July 2 at approximately 3:30 PM. Authorities were alerted to the situation after the woman reported the incident on her Garmin InReach device. She explained that she had fallen while climbing off route near the West chute of Mt. Williamson at 13,600 feet. To make matters worse, the climber explained that she had lost her bag, which contained all her food and water. She also detailed a serious leg injury where a broken bone was protruding from her skin.
Inyo County Search and Rescue remarks that the climber was “calm and responsive” despite the severity of her condition. Authorities quickly established a satellite text link with the woman, but reaching her proved to be a serious challenge. The team dispatched a helicopter to the climber’s location, but it was forced to turn back as a thunderstorm rolled in.
The Search and Rescue team requested assistance from VX-31, a Navy squadron based at the China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station. They accepted and transported four volunteers 10,500 feet up the mountain just before midnight. The report explains they could not fly higher and had to go on foot the rest of the way.
The Team Made Contact With The Climber At Sunrise
Authorities made verbal contact with the climber in the morning, but the unforgiving terrain meant they couldn’t immediately rescue her. The woman had reportedly fallen down a steep, narrow chute, and the location was so remote that the helicopter couldn’t retrieve her with a hoist. Instead, two SAR members were dropped 300 feet above the climber. They made contact 23 hours after the climber called for aid.
The rescue team moved the climber to more open terrain where the helicopter could reach them. She was rescued and taken to the hospital after a grueling 28-hour ordeal. The chopper had to return to the location to pick up the remaining volunteers.
Inyo County Search and Rescue says the operation involved five helicopters and coordination across multiple agencies. The report says the incident highlights the dangers of high-altitude mountaineering. “The climber’s bravery and composure in extreme conditions were remarkable,” authorities said. “Enormous bravery and fortitude was shown by this patient, and all involved were impressed by her ability to remain calm, collected, and alive.”