San Gabriel Valley Tribune

San Gabriel Valley Tribune
Article Published: Friday, August 24, 2007

Hiker, climber rescued in forest

ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST -- A hiker and a climber stranded in the Angeles National Forest had to be rescued in two unrelated incidents Thursday, officials said.

In the first of the two rescues, a 25-year-old man tried to climb a cliff about 1:45 p.m. near the Eaton Canyon Falls when he become stuck, said Altadena sheriff's Sgt. Daniel Bartlett.

The stranded climber yelled down to passing hikers, who in turn contacted rescuers, Bartlett said.

A Los Angeles County sheriff's helicopter pulled the man from the cliff about an hour later and flew him to safety uninjured, said Bartlett.

About 7:30 p.m., a 45-year-old man fell into a ravine while hiking on a trail near Mount Lowe and was unable to climb out, the sergeant said.

As in the climber's case, the stranded hiker yelled for help to other hikers, who contacted authorities, Bartlett said.

The Altadena Search and Rescue Team repelled unto the ravine and retrieved the man, who was not inured, said Bartlett.

Bartlett reminds hikers and climbers to bring plenty of water and a cellphone, leave plenty of time to get out of the forest before night, and "don't get in over your head."


Copyright © 2007 San Gabriel Valley Tribune
Los Angeles Newspaper Group