Tahquitz Climbers

August 21, 2016
Tahquitz Rock, Idyllwild
2016-034

Written by Cameron Dickinson

A call went out to the team on the night of August 21st regarding three male climbers stuck towards the top of Tahquitz Peak. Team member Lee Arnson would drive to over to Humber Park, as I would drive over to Hemet-Ryan Airport to attempt to perform a hoist with Riverside Sheriff’s Aviation.

Once I arrived at the Airport, we called one of the climbers to see if we were able to make contact with him. Luckily the climber answered the call. He stated that they reached the top of the climbing route, “The Trough” as intended, but because it was dark and they had no lights. They were unable to find the hiking route off the mountain. A few minutes later, we flew off to either perform a hoist or lower a supplies bag (contains food, water, lights, sleeping bag) to them. Due of the high winds it was determined too dangerous to perform hoist or bag drop-off, and flew back to the Airport to call our climber to discuss an alternate plan.

We called our climber, and after further discussion it was decided that they would just climb off peak at first light. Night time temps were mild, and the climbers had some food and water to sustain them until the morning.

RMRU Members Involved: Lee Arnson and Cameron Dickinson.