September 10, 2023 - Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department officials report that on Tuesday, September 5^th, at 7:27 P.M., our team received a call out regarding a stranded hiker in the Monkey Canyon area of the Angeles National Forest. The initial information indicated the hiker had gone down a ladder and was unable to get out. The hiker’s friend was able to make it out of the canyon and call for help.

We responded and sent in a field team. LA County Fire Department staged with our topside units. Low clouds had moved in making air extraction impossible. After hours of hiking and negotiating around waterfalls, the field team reached the victim. Once the victim was assessed, we determined he would be unable to climb the rocky terrain and waterfalls to the trailhead. Our Operations Leader decided the best course of action would be to shelter in place, warm the victim, and wait for the morning.

Once the morning light came, the clouds broke. Copter 15 from LA County Fire Dept Air Ops was able to fly in and hoist the uninjured victim to safety. The aircrew was gracious enough to hoist our rescuers and equipment out of the field. Copter 15 completed multiple evolutions to get everyone topside. The professionalism and #teamwork from all our partners at the Los Angeles County Fire Department was exceptional.

Our team would like to remind everyone to carefully research their intended hike.

There are numerous trails in the Angeles National Forest that have steep, rocky sections. Many others require mountaineering skills and equipment. Previous hikers sometimes leave ropes and ladders to assist people in negotiating around these obstacles. However, many of these aids are poorly constructed, overused, or beyond its useful life. If you come across a trail that uses these makeshift aids, please reconsider using them. You may make it down the obstacle, but the rope or ladder may not work for your return trip.

Source: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department