Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Overnight Rescue Saves Climber Trapped On Narrow Ledge
Rob Martin was climbing a steep mountain route in California when he took a wrong turn.
He became stuck on a ledge only about six inches wide.
The ground below was so steep that falling could have been deadly.
Martin called for help around 1:20 p.m.
on August 22.
Rescue workers decided they had to continue into the night to reach him.
They used ropes to lower a rescuer down the mountain.
The rescuer attached Martin to a safety harness.
Together, they moved toward a safer route and were brought out.
Martin was tired but did not suffer major injuries.
Rob Martin contacted authorities around 1:20 p.m. on August 22 after taking a wrong turn while climbing in California’s Sierra Nevada.
He became stranded on a ledge about six inches wide, with thousands of feet of steep exposure below.
Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue Team members carried out a complex high-angle rescue through difficult terrain and nighttime conditions.
A technician was lowered using specialized rope systems, secured Martin in a harness, and helped move him down the mountain.
Responders said Martin was exhausted but avoided major injuries after the overnight operation.
- Who
- Climber Rob Martin and the Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue Team.
- What
- A high-angle rescue freed Martin after he became stranded on a six-inch ledge.
- When
- Martin called authorities around 1:20 p.m. on August 22; the rescue continued overnight and reached him by early morning.
- Where
- The Mendenhall Couloir on the east face of Laurel Mountain in California’s Sierra Nevada.
- Why
- Martin took a wrong turn on a difficult alpine route and could not safely climb down because of the steep drop.
- Climber
- Rob Martin
- Route
- Mendenhall Couloir
- Mountain
- Laurel Mountain
- Ledge width
- About six inches
- Emergency call
- Around 1:20 p.m. local time on August 22
- Rescue method
- Specialized rope systems and a rescuer-operated harness
- Outcome
- Martin was exhausted but avoided major injuries