Big Sur Storm Rescue
A hiker became trapped by a storm-swollen creek at a campground near Big Sur and was safely rescued by first responders. The incident highlights the risks of outdoor exploration during California's unpredictable winter weather conditions.
- The rescue took place at the Barlow Flats campground, a remote site along the Pine Ridge Trail. - A California Highway Patrol (CHP) helicopter, H-70, was dispatched after Big Sur Fire officials requested assistance. - The rescue was described as challenging due to the dense tree canopy, requiring the helicopter to maneuver below it and utilize nearly all of its 164-foot hoist cable to reach the hiker. - After being hoisted from the campground, the hiker was transported to an ambulance waiting at the Post Ranch landing zone. - The Pine Ridge Trail, where the campground is located, is a popular and strenuous 20-mile hike, and the site of other recent rescues, including a 19-year-old who fell 250 feet. - Unpredictable weather is a known hazard in the Big Sur wilderness, with other recent rescues in the area involving hypothermia during atmospheric river storm conditions.
