The hiker was lucky to have stopped before falling all the way to the beach below. Photo: Shelter Cove-Fire//Facebook
Humboldt County rescue crews were busy on March 22 after a hiker wandered off California’s Lost Coast Trail and fell down a 100-foot cliff. Luckily, he was able to hang on to a bluff that was still 60 feet above the ocean, but he was hopelessly stuck there and “barely holding on.”
According to reports, the hiker and his friend were on the 53-mile stretch of trails that runs along the Northern California coastline in the King Range National Conservation Area.
“They were definitely in an off-trail area and a dangerous spot,” said Shelter Cove Fire Chief Nick Pape. “It kind of looks like a hiking trail. However, it’s not — and that trail leads to a very dangerous portion of the cliffs above the beach.”
Cape explained to reporters that the fallen hiker slipped, but his friend was able to grab one of his hiking poles and hang onto him for a few moments. Then, though, he slipped and plummeted down the jagged cliff face onto the bluff where he came to a halt.
“He slipped down and was very lucky to get caught, because it was a lot worse fall just below him,” Pape continued. Beneath the victim was a beach covered in boulders. “He would have been seriously injured, if not killed.”
With cuts and bruises as well as a dislocated shoulder, the hiker used his poles to stop himself from falling farther. His friend watched in horror from above. At about 2:20 p.m., the Shelter Cove Fire Department was called in to help.
When they heard where the victim was, however, they knew they’d need more than just a few guys and a rope.
“Due to the treacherous terrain and the area’s track record of challenging rescues,” the fire department said in a statement, “the duty officer immediately requested helicopter support from the U.S. Coast Guard Sector and deployed a rescue boat and Jet Ski with four rescue swimmers.”
The Jet Ski team was able to spot the hiker, clinging on for dear life. A rescue swimmer had a look from the beach to see whether climbing up to him was an option, but quickly decided it was too dangerous.
“At one point the hiker did try and shift, and they slid down another foot,” Pape said. “That’s where our rescue swimmers just started yelling at them to not move and wait for the helicopter.”
An hour later, at 3:30 p.m., the helicopter arrived on scene. “Both hoists required intense crew coordination due to the loose cliffside, dead trees, and limited power,” U.S. Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay told the LA Times. “With no winds and limited power, the crew had to make quick decisions regarding fuel and patient delivery.”
Once the helicopter rescue crew was able to pluck the hiker from the cliff face, he was flown to the Shelter Cove Airport, where his injuries were assessed. The helicopter team then flew back to rescue the second hiker, as well.
The area, while beautiful, can be a dangerous place. Since 2011, Pape’s team alone has been involved in up to 50 rescues there. During the pandemic, more people discovered the Lost Coast trail, which led to an uptick in rescues. According to Pape, the northern end of the trail is one of the most popular, but can also be treacherous.
“You’re exposed the entire length of this trail to the coastal conditions, so wind, rain, tides, animals, all that kind of stuff,” he explained. “You’re definitely in a rural environment. That’s what a lot of people like about the trail, but when it comes to rescues, there is a considerable time lag to get rescuers into that area.”
Pape went on to warn hikers to take the proper precautions before hitting the Lost Coast Trail.
“This is one of the most beautiful hikes in California,” he said. “We want people to come enjoy it, but be prepared. It is definitely not a beginner hike. You have to do your due diligence and study and prepare a route and have a backup plan.”
