Friends of Yosemite Search and Rescue

rescues

Evacuation of Fallen Lead Climber on El Capitan Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, New Dawn photos - click on thumbnails for full photo 10-14 - 10-15-2005
pictures from the El Capitan Rescue click thumbnails for larger image
	After being flown to the summit, the rescue team reviews the plan.
	The injured/stranded party and their porta-ledge on the New Dawn traverse from Texas Flake, seen from El Cap Meadow.
	Rescuers Ed Visnovske and George Paiva prepare to be lowered from the summit to the patient's location approximately 1,400' below.
	Rescuers Ed Visnovske and George Paiva drop over the edge of the North American Wall with their haul bags.
	Rescuers and edge attendants at the beginning of the lower operation, as seen through a spotting scope on the ground, which displays everything as its mirror image.
	Visnovske and Paiva begin to be lowered through a long section of overhang, as seen through spotting scope.
	Visnovske and Paiva from the edge attendant perspective, with an edge roller (foreground) preventing the weighted line from being cut on the rock edge.
	Rescuer's view of the stranded party, approximately 1,000' below, who have packed their porta-ledge.
	Rescuer's view from just above the stranded party. When dropping in from 1,400' above, ending up this close to target is difficult to do.
	Spotter's view of the same position. Note the mirror-image effect compared to the previous photo.
	Paiva on the long, slow trip down down.
	Spotter's view as Paiva and Visnovske prepare to evacuate the patient to the ground, still approximately 1,400' below.
	Visnovke rigging in preparation for being lowered with the patient.
	Scar from where rock flake broke loose and struck climber. Compare in size to carabiner, at right.
	With thousands of feet of 11mm rope out, enough heat can be generated by the brake bar to damage the rope. Water is applied for cooling.
	At the end of the rescue it's still dangerous to drop 3,000+' of rope from the top of El Capitan. It must be hauled back up.
	Rescuer Dov Bock watches as the helicopter touches down on the summit to take rescuers and gear back to the valley floor.
	Renowned climber and veteran YOSAR member Werner Braun gears up for the flight home.
	Safety Officer and longtime YOSAR guru John Dill takes in the view.

home

rescues