California Highway Patrol Partnership

Jul 6

High-Angle Rescue Training: A Vital Annual Collaboration in Yosemite

Every May, the towering granite cliffs of Yosemite National Park become the training ground for an essential and highly specialized partnership. Members of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and Yosemite National Park Rangers gather in the park to conduct high-angle rescue training—a critical preparation for real-life emergencies that occur in the steep and rugged terrain of the Sierra Nevada.

This annual collaboration, which has been ongoing for several years, focuses on refining skills that are vital to saving lives in one of the most challenging rescue environments in the country. Together, the teams practice technical rope systems on Yosemite’s sheer granite walls, simulating real-world scenarios that require precision, coordination, and trust. One key component of the training is short-hauling, a technique that involves airlifting rescuers and injured individuals by helicopter from remote or vertical locations.

Yosemite’s cliffs are not only world-renowned for climbing and scenery, but they also present significant challenges for emergency response. The partnership between the CHP and the National Park Service strengthens interagency coordination and ensures that rescuers are prepared for swift, safe, and effective action when real incidents occur.

As the popularity of Yosemite continues to grow, so does the importance of this annual training. The enduring partnership between the California Highway Patrol and Yosemite National Park Rangers is a testament to their shared commitment to public safety and wilderness rescue excellence.

Yosemite National Park Rangers would like to acknowledge and thank the following CHP team members that joined us on during our SAR days training:

Officer Dusty Manning (Pilot)

Officer Jonathon Lanza (Pilot)

Officer Todd Brethour (Pilot)

Officer Shannon Slover (Pilot)

Officer Mike Crain (Flight Officer/Hoist Operator)

Officer Rusty Hotchkiss (Flight Officer/Hoist Operator)

Officer Noe Gonzalez (Flight Officer/Hoist Operator)

Officer Jon Ontiveros (Flight Officer/Hoist Operator)

Officer Tony Ramage (Flight Officer/Hoist Operator)

Sergeant Scott Grant (CHP Chief Pilot)

Sergeant Jayson Doumas (Aerial Supervisor)