# California cliffside helicopter rescues

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/california-cliffside-helicopter-rescues
> Updated: 2026-08-24T21:42:45.000Z. Sources: 39. Developments: 2.

In Big Sur, two climbers were airlifted to safety from a steep cliffside near Hurricane Point after becoming stranded approximately 600 feet below the roadway. 

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) Paso Robles Air Unit responded to a request for assistance from Big Sur Fire. Because the terrain was hazardous and the climbers could not safely disconnect from the helicopter hoist, a specialized rescue technician was lowered from an H-70 helicopter. 

The technician used a Pelican rescue harness to secure the first climber, and the crew repeated the technical hoist procedure to retrieve the second individual. The CHP characterized the mission as a “high-risk, low-frequency rescue” where there is “no room for error” due to the challenging environmental conditions.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-24: Big Sur climbers airlifted to safety in helicopter rescue

Two climbers were airlifted to safety by a California Highway Patrol helicopter after becoming stranded on a steep cliff 600 feet below the road near Big Sur.

38 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/big-sur-climbers-airlifted-to-safety-in-helicopter-rescue

### 2026-08-21: Paraglider rescued from California cliff by helicopter

Rescuers used a helicopter to save a paraglider stranded 500 feet down a cliff near Mussel Rock in Daly City, California. The pilot sustained moderate injuries.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/paraglider-rescued-from-california-cliff-by-helicopter

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Cite as: California cliffside helicopter rescues. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/california-cliffside-helicopter-rescues