“No Pass Rock” was passed, with discomfiting consequences
Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel
Three Southern Humboldt residents were lifted to safety in a 22-hour rescue over the weekend after becoming stranded in a ravine south of Shelter Cove beach.
At about 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a cell phone call from stranded hikers who had gone for a walk along the beach south of the town of Shelter Cove, where they went past “No Pass Rock” and the tide came in to block their return. Upon their attempt to hike up and over the rock when it became dark, the three hikers slipped down a hillside into a ravine, which they were unable to climb up or down to escape.
The HCSO immediately initiated a Search and Rescue call out, as well as requesting assistance from the Shelter cove Volunteer Fire Department, which activated the Southern Humboldt Technical Rescue Team, who responded to the area with volunteers from Shelter Cove.
Upon their arrival, rescue personnel evaluated the situation and spoke with the rescued hikers, who were uninjured and determined to be in a safe place. They decided to wait until daybreak to attempt a rescue due to safety concerns; a helicopter could not be used in the rescue due to weather conditions and the terrain. Instead, a high-angle rope rescue was initiated at dawn on Sunday by the rescue team and fire department; 27-year-old Timothy Philips of Redway, 25-year-old Whitney Hacket of Briceland and 24-year-old Pierce Shippan of Sutter Creek were all safely pulled out of the ravine by 3:00 p.m.
A total of twenty rescuers were involved in the effort and none were injured, according to a release from HCSO lieutenant Steve Knight.
Redheaded Blackbelt’s Kym Kemp covered the rescue with a story and some great photos explaining more of what went into this effort. I’m glad that this turned out well and the people, pets, and rescue team went home safely. Readers also offered their fine comments, too.
I encourage you to give Kym’s piece a read here, it was good:
http://kymkemp.com/2012/jan/29/pictures-weekends-daring-rescue-three-hikers-and-t/
ITS FINE THESE THREE PEOPLE WHO BEHAVED LIKE IDIOTS GOT RESCUED SAFELY. HOWEVER, THE COST AND MANPOWER FOR THESE SIMPLETONS -WHY ARE YOU THERE? RESCUE DIDN’T COME FREE. THERE SHOULD BE A BILL OF EXPENSES CHARGED TO THE THREESOME FOR THEIR “SAFE” RESCUE AND TO SEND A MESSAGE OF FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY TO THE NEXT “IDIOTS” WHO TAKE THE CHALLENGE ALONG CLIFFS THAT SHOULDN’T BE APPROACHED NOR CHALLENGED. WHAT IF ONE OF THE RESCUE RESPONDERS DIED? THIS WOULD BE SECONDARY MANSLAUGHTER CHARGERS AGAINST THOSE “IDIOT” CLIMBERS. THE SAYINJG “STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES” FITS THIS PRIME PICTURE. GLAD YOU’RE SAFE, BUT YOU SHOULD PAY THE COST OF YOUR RECOVERY.