[UPDATE 11:51 p.m.: Good News!] Man Stuck While Climbing Cliff West of Willow Creek

That's him on the cliff face, lit up by the sheriff spotlights... He must have climbed there by choice ...

“That’s him on the cliff face, lit up by the sheriff spotlights…,” one of the readers told us. “He must have climbed there by choice … .”

A freestyle climber is stuck on a cliff near mile marker 34.5 on Hwy 299, a couple miles west of Willow Creek, according to the scanner.

At 8:30 p.m., the call went over the scanner that a Coast Guard chopper is inbound to extract the stranded climber.

However, two readers told us about 7:45 p.m., that they saw the man and “at least 2” Humboldt County Sheriff vehicles parked near the stranded climber.  According to the readers, the Sheriff’s vehicles have their overhead spotlights trained on an east facing cliff and deputies are speaking to the man via a bullhorn.

“The guy is spread eagle,” one reader told us. At the time, they weren’t sure if he was actually in trouble or if the Sheriff’s deputies were just checking on his welfare.

However, scanner traffic indicates the man is stuck on the cliff and needs assistance to get down. Dispatch sent several fire departments and an ambulance to the incident.

As of 8:40 p.m., at least one firefighter is on scene with the deputies and an ambulance.

Please remember that this story is unfolding. Information is being reported as we gather it. However, some of the information coming from witnesses and initial official reports could be wrong. We will do our best to get the facts but, in the case that something is inaccurate, we will update with correct information as soon as we can.

UPDATE 10:25 p.m.: The helicopter did not assist the climber. As of a few minutes ago, the hiker is attempting to climb down, according to emergency personnel speaking over the scanner.

UPDATE 11:28 p.m.: The Coast Guard helicopter is on scene attempting to extract the climber, according to emergency personnel speaking to dispatch. CHP is stopping traffic both on westbound and eastbound 299.

UPDATE 11:51 p.m.: Good news! “The patient is extracted,” emergency personnel told dispatch. He’s now being checked out for medical issues.

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James R Quayle III
Guest
James R Quayle III
1 year ago

I’m here in Willow Creek and wondered why the helicopter was flying nearby and hope there wasn’t any fires. I hope he extracts himself with the help of someone and maybe he and others will be more careful at dusk to not go cliff climbing around Willow Creek I fear for the helicopter pilots lives having to do that at night time but I’m sure everything’s going to work out fine.

707 Mom
Guest
707 Mom
1 year ago

Many people aren’t aware that there is a well used climbing area out there in 6 Rivers National forest by willow creek, accessed by titlow hill rd or Friday ridge, it’s called land of the lost. Lots of college kids are frequently climbing the cliffs and boulders there . My son is there now. Him and his friends train for it, and it’s a very popular sport. Your right that they should not attempt high level climbs close to dusk, but this isn’t completely random and wreckless, more likely bad judgment. I’m guessing it won’t be the last incident, since the spot is getting famous locally.

Lost Croat OutburstD
Member
Lost Croat Outburst
1 year ago
Reply to  707 Mom

Bad judgement IS random and reckless. Very glad the climber made it out OK. Not checking on remaining daylight is a major error. Good luck to your son. Climbing has safety rules as with firearms and kayaking and everything. Is the rescued person wearing safety gear like a helmet? You better make sure your son “gets it” or he could be the next “incident.”

Gary Whittaker
Guest
Gary Whittaker
1 year ago
Reply to  707 Mom

You’ve encouraged your kid to be an idiot risk taker. I’ll bet he texts and drives risking others lives. Be prepared to pick up pieces of him splattered on a rock pile in the near future. I guess you never used the word NO to him.

John Rambo
Guest
John Rambo
1 year ago

They drew first blood not me.

The Rogue Reporter
Guest
The Rogue Reporter
1 year ago

That promontory must be a well known, extremely challenging ascent, in climbing circles…

I’d be curious of the name of it…

Coincidentally…

I wondered about it as I was Eastbound, this A.M. I sort of remembered a legend about it, but I could be wrong…

It’s vertical to be sure, and he is only about 1/2 to 2/3rds up it.

I’d say at least 100′ to go…

All estimates, except the virtually vertical face…

I’m not sure if he was free climbing it, but it seemed so…

I sure hope that he is safely rescued…

Not the greatest picture, but it does have pretty good perspective… Maybe…

The Rogue Reporter.

North westCertain license plate out of thousands c
Guest
North westCertain license plate out of thousands c
1 year ago

I’m gonna laugh as soon as he’s safe.
I remember doing crazy stuff when we were young but never had to be rescued.

The Rogue Reporter
Guest
The Rogue Reporter
1 year ago

They are calling this an extrication now…
Does that mean he has fallen…???

Miguel
Guest
Miguel
1 year ago

Nope, extricate is to free from entanglement or difficulty. Recovery would describe a, well, you know.

The Rogue Reporter
Guest
The Rogue Reporter
1 year ago

I know one thing…

Making that climb, even to where he made it, took some cojones…

I’m glad he is OK.

Lost Croat OutburstD
Member
Lost Croat Outburst
1 year ago

It took very bad judgement, just like when I was young. I hope he survives to adulthood.

Ben Round
Guest
Ben Round
1 year ago

I can not make out a person in that photo Kym, unless that is the top of his helmet. And if not, how do I make out a human figure???
Ohhhh wait. I looked again (10th time. lol). Is that him with the blue shirt, black head/ hoodie and a left arm at an upper angle? Yikes!

Last edited 1 year ago
The Rogue Reporter
Guest
The Rogue Reporter
1 year ago
Reply to  Ben Round

Yep that’s him.

I thought he was dead, at first… except both his “hands were up”.

That black object that looks like a hoodie is his backpack, I think…

He seemed to be utilizing some things from it, I think.

And the photo was taken with an Android from at least 150-200 yards.

All’s well that ends well, I guess.

I’d still like to know what that landmark is called.

The Rogue Reporter
Guest
The Rogue Reporter
1 year ago

Here is the topo for the area the man was climbing…

It is along a ridge extension, downwards off of Indian Butte, towards 299.

He was climbing above Ruby Creek, very near where it meets, and goes under, 299.

It’s very steep there.

The area he was climbing is in the upper right, at the lower left of the “2” in “299”.

If you tap on the screenshot, the identifiers for Indian Butte, and Ruby Creek can be seen…

Screenshot_20221002-075911.png
Last edited 1 year ago
The Rogue Reporter
Guest
The Rogue Reporter
1 year ago

Upon further review, I believe that the above location is incorrect, I think it was this area off of Brush Mountain…

Screenshot_20221002-083907.png
The Rogue Reporter
Guest
The Rogue Reporter
1 year ago

That’s the spot.

He was climbing above Willow Creek itself, not Ruby Creek. My error.

Here is what it looks like in the daylight.

Pretty steep.

It looked even steeper in the dark…

Screenshot_20221002-093715.png
Last edited 1 year ago
Head scratch
Guest
Head scratch
1 year ago

Man who is a climber, climbs onto cliff. Hours later and $30,000 later, man is rescued from said cliff.

old guy
Guest
old guy
1 year ago

he should have to pay for rescue services. bad decision making putting others at risk.

Martin
Guest
Martin
1 year ago
Reply to  old guy

You can say that again friend! One real stupid climber. I guess he must have a death wish. No that he is safe, pony up the rescue bucks!

Two Dogs
Guest
Two Dogs
1 year ago
Reply to  old guy

We owe it to our youth to save them from themselves, sometimes. Learning from experience is just part of maturing. You guys barking about charging these folks that find themselves in a bind should be looking a lot farther south if you are worried about what is costing tax payer dollars.
There’s not a whole lot of difference between a person who desires the rush of climbing a scary rock face and the crew of a SAR helicopter in terms of why they do what they do.

old guy
Guest
old guy
1 year ago
Reply to  Two Dogs

stupid is as stupid does, my vote says you can pay for your kid’s ‘experiences’, not me.

Todd
Guest
Todd
1 year ago
Reply to  Two Dogs

“There’s not a whole lot of difference between a person who desires the rush of climbing a scary rock face and the crew of a SAR helicopter in terms of why they do what they do”

I disagree. Last night, the Coast Guard took the better part of 2-3 hours weighing risk in discussion with HCSO before deciding to even accept the mission. They accepted the significant risk of this rescue only after thorough confirmation that safer options were not available and that the benefit outweighed the risk. Even after arriving on scene, they aborted the first attempt, flew back to the airport to refuel and regroup and returned an hour later to complete the rescue. The helicopter crew was not there desiring a rush. This incident is an excellent example of just how cautious and methodical those crews are.

The Rogue Reporter
Guest
The Rogue Reporter
1 year ago
Reply to  Todd

HCSO got the public assist call to that location at 6:12 P.M.

There was still some daylight left.

A 5 hour and 40 minute successful rescue, plus return time for the Coast Guard Helicopter and Crew, and the rest of the First Responders.

A big Thank You to all involved.

Lost Croat OutburstD
Member
Lost Croat Outburst
1 year ago
Reply to  Todd

Yes, exactly. Amazing what an ingrate attitude and sense of entitlement from these kids. I still think occasional rescues should be tax-funded unless it gets to be a steady parade like Mt. Hood where idiots round up their kid brother, girl friend, black lab and head out in Feb. and wonder what happened.

Gary Whittaker
Guest
Gary Whittaker
1 year ago

Every time a Mt hood rescue calls for a natl guard hillicopter, when the engine starts it’s $30,000
It’s o.k. to fine them for everything involved. Make them pay! It’s their parents money anyway. Other countries charge dearly for hillicopter evac. It’s the only way these ungrateful/entitled risk takers will get it through their boney heads.

Gary Whittaker
Guest
Gary Whittaker
1 year ago
Reply to  Two Dogs

I don’t think so. This stunt appears to be a last minute decision to something dumb after a few beers.
Rescue on Mt hood in Oregon will cost you dearly now days. Too many idiots not heeding official warnings take risks and cry for mom to help them. Little or no safety gear, proper climbing equipment is a different story. If they fall to their death means 1 less idiot in the world.

Slink
Guest
Slink
1 year ago
Reply to  Gary Whittaker

Things went way down hill when people got radios and now cell phones. In the old days, when you went climbing, you knew there was NO help. It can really change the decisions that you make thinking you can just call for help if something goes wrong.

Lost Croat OutburstD
Member
Lost Croat Outburst
1 year ago
Reply to  Slink

Actually, hand-held devices should have made it safer, but you have TO GIVE A DAMN about your life. You can instantly check weather reports, the time, SUNSET, topo maps, reviews of the climb, and safety suggestions. But kids think they are immortal.

Lost Croat OutburstD
Member
Lost Croat Outburst
1 year ago
Reply to  Two Dogs

There is a huge, immeasurable, gigantic difference between a foolish young man risking his health and life climbing a cliff in the dark with zero equipment and a SAR helicopter pilot who has no delusions about his/her mortality but has chosen a career to go in harm’s way to rescue a young person trying to survive adolescence. It’s deeply insulting and disrespectful to the chopper pilot to even suggest that the two people are equally motivated.
you and the rescuee need a lot more living, a long way to go. I envy your youth.

Joe
Guest
Joe
1 year ago

What a climber this guy is. The bill for rescue will be a eye opener for him. Dumbass

Gary Whittaker
Guest
Gary Whittaker
1 year ago

Another millinial stunt done at the cost of the taxpayers. At night, consider the risk responders took for this idiot.
Let’s hope he gets a hefty fine for all the assets needed to pluck his ass out of danger.
Please follow up with details on this story so we all know who this stupid person is. I look forward to shaming him further.

Ben Round
Guest
Ben Round
1 year ago

I enjoy the thrill of climbing! And I will stay with using walls that have ropes and wenches to bring me down safely if I don’t ‘summit’. 😉

Adrienne Floreen
Guest
1 year ago

“The guy is spread eagle” one reader told us? LMFAO…. like a year or two after I first moved to Humboldt maybe in 2003/4, on the 4th of July while I was wearing a red, white, and blue dress with a red, white, and blue chicken on it, my friends randomly arrived at my house with no notice and asked me to go along for a ride with them on 299 and dosed me with some acid… We went to the river then they decided to cross 299 in the most dangerous spot where there was a cliff on one side and a sheer drop off on another side. So, there I was, on the side of f*n 299, on the 4th of July, hanging offa a Manzanita tree on one of the most dangerous curves just outside of Humboldt in Trinity, tripping balls. And I couldn’t climb up or down, it was just to dangerous and I had to wait for my friends to help me up or down. So there I was hanging off this tree, and as big rig trucks, cars, buses, RVs etc flew by me I just waved at them, and many of them honked at me, apparently thinking it was some 4th of July roadshow event. Friends… that was my worst trip ever. The tree I hugged was covered in poison oak. I am scarred to this day.

Adrienne Floreen
Guest
1 year ago

Like the “dogs are offa leashes in Humboldt” article, I question the validity of “the guy is spread eagle” article and wonder if this is a troll or your son/daughter trolling you because they cannot address you in person.

The Rogue Reporter
Guest
The Rogue Reporter
1 year ago

In the screenshot is the positioning of the climber, facing the rock, as we first observed him.

“Spread eagle”, as I described it to Kym initially, for lack of a better term, I believe, is a correct term.

He was holding on for dear life.

It was not an attempt to troll by us, nor was is meant in a compromising way.

It was an attempt to convey an accurate picture, in words.

Nothing more.

Nothing less.

That’s terrible that those punks dosed you.

It’s happened to me a few times, at least twice with X, and at least once, with an unknown substance.

I consider that it should qualify as a capital offense, somewhat depending on the preconceived intent.

It’s simply unacceptable.

I hope your scars heal to the extent possible.

Screenshot_20221002-145456.png
North westCertain license plate out of thousands c
Guest
North westCertain license plate out of thousands c
1 year ago

It took me a while till I seen the guy spread eagle on a rock.
He’s tiny in the picture but he sure as hell is spread eagle on a rock [edit].

Last edited 1 year ago
The Rogue Reporter
Guest
The Rogue Reporter
1 year ago

🤔🧐Dummy?

Really???

(I took the picture from the scene.)

I reported (broke) the story to Kym, and sent her the picture, as a courtesy.

And “spread eagle” was MY description, which I also sent to her.

How does that make me the “Dummy”?

🤷‍♂️

Lost Croat OutburstD
Member
Lost Croat Outburst
1 year ago

You did just fine. Don’t give up, don’t quit. Thank you for the reporting.

Lost Croat OutburstD
Member
Lost Croat Outburst
1 year ago

“Spread Eagle” is a great forest name for this dude. Or “The Fly”. A little appropriate shaming could save lives and avoid tragic phone calls to family and friends.

Debbie
Guest
Debbie
1 year ago

Solution to that is, choose better friends to hang around with. Sounds as though these were farm from being any type of friend.

Lost Croat OutburstD
Member
Lost Croat Outburst
1 year ago

From now on the climber’s forest name is “Spread Eagle.”

Debbie
Guest
Debbie
1 year ago

More appropriately would be Dumbass in the cliff. That says it all in a nutshell. Why beat around the ignorant bush for such an idiotic thing to do. Rick faces, are just like jumping out of a completely fine flying airplane. Who in their right state of mind would do such a dumb stunt. Other than professionally trained military personnel.

Gary Whittaker
Guest
Gary Whittaker
1 year ago

Well “Mr Spread Eagle”…. I hope you pay dearly for your stunt. What’s it like to be labeled as a complete idiot in NorCal? What’s your next gig? A long walk off a short Pier?