Normal rescue tactics?

Scott O wrote:First thought was "what a waste of a helicopter resource." Second thought was, actually it looks late in the day at a location it would take quite a while to hike to, with a victim in a fairly precarious perch wearing inadequate attire for even a brief period after dark... lots of reasons to employ a helicopter in some capacity.

I do buy the use of a helicopter, it just seems like a rope would've been a much more controlled way to pick her off, and I would bet that even without additional personnel they probably had the gear and training to do that, or at least get her anchored to something solid and get her a blanket over her while a bigger team was getting assembled. I don't really agree that just because they were successful, that makes their approach a good idea. If she'd been marooned at a solid anchor, fine, but with that rotor wash especially the whole thing seemed right on the edge of out of control. Maybe the "Go-Pro effect" makes it seem wilder than it actually was?

Andrew Rivera wrote:http://www.mountainproject.com/v/mormon-rocks/106331336 It looked like the mormon rocks off the 15 freeway

Definitely not Mormon Rocks, but it's not the Eagle Rock posted up-thread either. I'm pretty sure it's not a developed climbing area.

Optimistic wrote: I do buy the use of a helicopter, it just seems like a rope would've been a much more controlled way to pick her off, and I would bet that even without additional personnel they probably had the gear and training to do that, or at least get her anchored to something solid and get her a blanket over her while a bigger team was getting assembled. I don't really agree that just because they were successful, that makes their approach a good idea. If she'd been marooned at a solid anchor, fine, but with that rotor wash especially the whole thing seemed right on the edge of out of control. Maybe the "Go-Pro effect" makes it seem wilder than it actually was?

I'd rather be rescued that way, but it's hard to pass judgment without knowing the factors the rescuers were facing.

The factors the rescuers were facing is that they had a bitchin' helicopter at their disposal, so they made sure it was used for the rescue.

Yeah, a person could easily have been belayed to downclimb to the girl, gotten a swami belt or webbing harness on her, and helped her climb out. But that makes the helicopter not get used.

Pretty common rescue, probably did it more for training than necessity. Maybe there was a delay or issue getting someone to the top of the rock, many of those roads are inaccessible to vehicles. I work for Los Angeles City Fire and we do pick offs like that all the time, it's quick and easy and doesn't tie up resources. It takes a lot of time t get people on top , set up and either rig to raise or lower, pick offs are just way easier.

A waste of helicopter resources??? These guys live for this stuff and are on stand by 24/7 to do it. In LA County where this happened you have the LACSD which performed this rescue, LA County Fire and LA City Fire, all are highly trained and love doing what they do. This was an easy and good training exercise if nothing else.

This is so 4 years ago........

That Is Eagle Rock, in Topanga Canyon state park.... Total Choss pile.

I wonder how the heck she got there? And just what was the yellow bit of sling for?????

Kevin.... Thank you for just being there when we need you....

Pretty fantastic how the helicopter has enabled being rescued.

Upstream, there is a link describing how she got there: she was following a friend who convinced her it would be a good "rock climbing" experience. The yellow sling was a makeshift hand-line of dubious quality obtained by the friend (per the article).