A climber found himself trapped behind a powerful waterfall at a well-known rappelling site in California after two challenging days before being rescued.
Ryan Wardwell, 46, found himself in a tight spot behind the waterfall while he was exploring cliffs along the Kern River on August 10. The waterfall’s intense currents threw him off balance, as reported by the Tulea County Sheriff’s Office.
Rappelling typically involves climbers heading downward from a heights, but Wardwell’s plans went awry. He was reported missing within a day when local authorities grew concerned after noticing his car had not moved much near the park.
Search efforts included utilizing helicopters equipped with infrared technology to find Wardwell. However, the rugged landscape and challenging conditions presented by the river delayed the search, forcing responders to pause and regroup on August 12.
Eventually, a drone backtracked behind seven small waterfalls, ultimately leading to his rescue. A helicopter managed to extract him from the difficult terrain, according to the sheriff’s office.
Fortunately, Wardwell only sustained minor injuries. He expressed surprise over the entire ordeal and mentioned that he had tried to navigate the waterfall multiple times. He had initially set out hiking with friends, but after witnessing the waterfall’s power, they decided to turn back.
They informed passersby to report Wardwell missing if his car remained at the facility by August 11. Cold and wet after his fall, he struggled against the waterfall, but, as Colonel Kevin Kemmerling from the Tulea County Sheriff’s Office stated, “there was nothing he could do to break through.”
“It must have been miserable because there was no way for him to warm or dry there,” Kemmerling added.
This situation wasn’t unique to Wardwell. Back in April, another hiker slipped and slid down a cliff, leading rescuers to cling to rocks for safety. Earlier that spring, an elderly hiker went missing, leading to a 30-hour search before he was finally located, during which rescuers encountered the famous comedian Jay Reno, who unfortunately hadn’t seen the lost individual.
