CHP H-40 preparing to perform a rescue, with Clouds Rest in the background.
Photo by Josh Helling, Yosemite Search & Rescue

January 18, 2019 - Yosemite National Parks reports at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 15, Yosemite National Park Emergency Communications Center (Dispatch) received a 911 call from two stranded male visitors hiking in the North Dome area of Yosemite National Park.

(Left) CHP H-40 preparing to perform a rescue, with Half Dome in the background. Photo by Josh Helling, Yosemite Search & Rescue

Yosemite National Park rangers and search-and-rescue personnel attempted to reach the hikers that night, but were unable to make contact due to darkness, rain, sleet, and fog, and the technical terrain.

Early in the morning of January 16, with the assistance of Helicopter H-40 from the California Highway Patrol in Fresno, rescuers were inserted above the stranded party. The rescuers descended to their location and assisted them back to the insertion point. H-40 returned and hoisted the hikers into the helicopter and transported them to Ahwahnee Meadow.

They were uninjured.

The rescuers met up a with a ground team and were able to hike out together before dark.

Yosemite National Park would like to extend its sincere gratitude to CHP – Central Division Air Operations and specifically the H-40 crew for their integral assistance in this technical rescue.


CHP H-40 with rescuer preparing to operate the hoist.
Photo by Josh Helling, Yosemite Search & Rescue


The gully hikers were rescued from.
Photo by Josh Helling, Yosemite Search & Rescue
Source: Yosemite National Park