Stranded Climber Rescued by Spokane Air Unit

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  Spokane Regional Air Support Unit Rescue 3 rescued a 37-year-old climber“The Spokane Regional Air Support Unit’s Rescue 3 crew rescued a 37-year-old climber who became stranded overnight on a small cliff ledge.”
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  The climber was stranded on a cliff ledge near Mount Daniel“On July 31, the crew of Rescue 3 from the Spokane Regional Air Support Unit responded to Mount Daniel to rescue a 37-year-old climber.”
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  The rescue occurred on July 31“On July 31, the crew of Rescue 3 from the Spokane Regional Air Support Unit responded to Mount Daniel to rescue a 37-year-old climber.”
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  The climber took a wrong route while descending“While descending from the summit, he mistakenly took the wrong route, which led him down a rock spire and onto a small cliff ledge around 6 p.m.”
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  The climber spent nearly 18 hours on a small ledge“The climber reported that after spending approximately 13 hours climbing the mountain, he was stranded on the ledge for nearly 18 additional hours.”
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  The climber had no safe way to climb up or down“With no safe way to climb up or down, he remained stranded overnight.”
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  The climber was located by GPS coordinates“Pilots Dave Valenti and Jack Scanlon navigated to GPS coordinates provided for the climber’s last known location.”
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  The climber was secured using an Air Rescue Vest“Niebuhr secured the climber using an Air Rescue Vest in a “quick pick” configuration and secured the climber’s belongings to the waist belt of his flight harness.”
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  The climber was hoisted to safety by crew members“Crew Chief Jeff Welton lowered Helicopter Rescue Medic Scott Niebuhr directly onto the ledge next to the climber. Niebuhr secured the climber using an Air Rescue Vest in a “quick pick” configuration and secured the climber’s belongings to the waist belt of his flight harness. The climber and Niebuhr were successfully hoisted from the ledge and back into the cabin of Rescue 3.”
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  Helicopter Rescue Medic Scott Niebuhr was part of the crew“Crew Chief Jeff Welton lowered Helicopter Rescue Medic Scott Niebuhr directly onto the ledge next to the climber.”
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  The climber reported sleeping only 5-10 minutes at a time“Throughout the night, he was only able to sleep for 5 to 10 minutes at a time because of the cold and fear of falling from the ledge.”
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  The climber experienced cold and fear during his ordeal“Throughout the night, he was only able to sleep for 5 to 10 minutes at a time because of the cold and fear of falling from the ledge.”
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  The climber later donated $10,000 to the Air Support Unit“Rescued Victim Donates $10,000 to ASU, Wishes to Remain Anonymous”
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  The climber donated $10,000 to the Air Support Unit anonymously“Rescued Victim Donates $10,000 to ASU, Wishes to Remain Anonymous”