At 1825 hours the Team received a request to assist a climber on the 3rd Pillar of Dana who had fallen and injured his ankle, and the ankle was unable to bear weight. The climber and his partner rappelled to the base of the climb, but were unable to hike up and out on the approach trail. Due to impending darkness, the Team advised the injured climber to remain in place, and advised that rescue would occur at first light on October 2.
A Sikorsky UH-60 variant from Lemoore Naval Air Station (call sign Lasso) accepted the mission, and the intent was to transport Team members to the base of the 3rd PIllar and extract the subject. Lasso approached the landing zone and a power check determined that they were unable to complete the mission as designed, so plan B was implemented.
Lemoore Naval Air Station departing the drop zone.
The drop zone on the Dana Plateau.
Lasso landed at the Lee Vining airport and transported team members to the top of the 3rd PIllar in 3 round trips. As personnel and equipment arrived, the Team constructed a lowering system and lowered a litter and attendant approximately 700’ to the base. The subject was packaged, and the Team converted to a technical raise with a 5:1 mechanical advantage to transport the attendant and subject to the summit.
Rigging team on the skyline atop the Dana Third Pillar.
A 600’ rope was not long enough, adding on 300’ more, and passing the knot on the lower.
Lasso landed on the Dana Plateau and transported the subject to the Lee Vining airport. The subject declined medical attention. The operation terminated at approximately 1400 hours on October 2.
IC: Gillespie Ops Leader: Hammack Responders: Beck, Buchanan, Patterson, Quiring, Zila, Godshalk, Creager, Kaufman, Hartstrom, Kallemeyn, Case, Endo, Evans.