At 1645 hours on Tuesday July 27 the Team was requested to assist a 37-year-old female climber stranded between the 5.6 North Arete and a sport route on the north face of Crystal Crag. The climber's intent was to free solo the North Arete, but she climbed off-route into terrain that caused her anxiety. She downclimbed to a ledge below the top of pitch 1, and called 911 to ask for assistance.

The Team responded to Wood's Resort above Lake George, and a field team of 3 departed the resort for the short hike to the base of Crystal Crag. Team One carried 2 ropes, a museum-quality trad rack, and various other gear. Shortly after their departure a second team of 3 with additional gear departed for the same location.

Team One reached the start of the North Arete and separated into a climbing team of 2, and a support team of 1. The climbing team quickly ascended to the top of the first pitch, set an anchor, and 1 climber rappelled to the stranded climber. Though she was free soloing, she did have various climbing equipment, some of which she used to construct an anchor. She also had a gri-gri in her pack, and with the rope provided and a fireman's belay from below, was able to rappel to the ground.

Pitch 1 Crystal Crag North Arete. Image by J. Bush

The second climber on the first pitch. Image by J. Bush

First pitch Crystal Crag North Arete. Image by J. Bush

The subject on rappel with a Fireman’s Belay. Image by J. Bush

Field team 2, which had arrived while the climbing team was enroute to the subject, escorted the subject to base, and her vehicle was parked nearby. Both climbers from field team 1 rappelled to the ground, pulled their ropes, and hiked back to rescue base. The operation terminated at 2016 hours.

Climbing team rappelling from the top of the 1st pitch at the conclusion of the rescue. Image by J. Bush

IC: Pelichowski Ops Leader: Beck Responders: Bush, Torrence, Evans, Cucura, Senior, Thompson, Dunne, Patterson, Haugh, Anderson