Drones help rescue climber stranded on Stawamus Chief

Squamish Search and Rescue used drones Thursday night to rescue a climber stranded about 77 metres above the ground on the Stawamus Chief.

The team was called after receiving a report that the climber was stranded on a route known as Alaska Highway. The person was secured to an anchor but had no rope, Squamish SAR said.

Rockfall hazards and the scale of the terrain made a conventional rope rescue substantially more difficult. Crews used one drone to light the area and a second to guide the climber to a lightweight messenger line. The line was then used to send a climbing rope to the climber.

After securing the rope, the climber rappelled safely to the ground with guidance from rescue personnel. Crews also delivered a jacket to keep him warm. Squamish SAR said the drone operation reduced risk to both rescuers and the climber.