CHP helicopter airlifts two climbers from cliff by Big Sur

August 24, 2026

By JOSH FRIEDMAN

A CHP helicopter airlifted two climbers off a cliff just north of Big Sur on Saturday evening.

Shortly before 6:30 p.m., Big Sur fire personnel requested the Paso Robles CHP Air Unit to assist with a rescue near Hurricane Point. Upon arrival, the H-70 helicopter located two climbers who were stranded on a steep chute approximately 600 feet below the roadway, according to the CHP. 

Because of the steep terrain and the inability to safely dismount from the hoist hook, a rescue crew member was lowered to assist the first victim while remaining attached to the hoist. The rescuer secured the climber in a Pelican rescue harness. 

The crew hoisted the first climber and airlifted the individual to awaiting rescue personnel at a staging area. The H-70 then returned to the scene and used the same technique to complete the rescue of the second climber.

CHP officials say these high-risk, low-frequency rescues are exactly what air operations personnel continuously train to execute.

“There is no room for error when operating in steep terrain, under hoist, and in challenging environmental conditions,” the CHP’s Coastal Division Air Operations stated in a social media post. “Thank you to all personnel involved for their professionalism, coordination and commitment in making this rescue a success.”