Tuesday afternoon saw the daring rescue of three rock climbers who found themselves stranded on a narrow ledge about 100 feet above a canyon floor in a secluded area of San Diego County, according to local authorities.
The incident unfolded at around 2 p.m. when the San Diego Sheriff’s Office was alerted to the climbers’ predicament, as they were unable to descend from their precarious position.
Officials reported that the climbers were stuck in a challenging terrain nestled between El Cajon Mountain and El Monte Mountain.
Close to two hours after the distress call, a rescue helicopter was dispatched to assist the climbers, who were dangerously perched high above the canyon.
Aerial footage captured by SkyFOX/KUSI depicted the dramatic scene as rescue teams meticulously hoisted the climbers to safety. The helicopter employed a hoist system to individually lift each climber into the aircraft.
El Capitan County Preserve, as described by San Diego County Parks, features a rugged, predominantly treeless ridgeline with approximately 11 miles of trails. Officials caution that this hike is demanding and can take up to six hours to complete.
Despite the tense situation, all three climbers were reported to be in good health and did not require a hospital visit, officials said.
