Sunday March 30. I spotted a helicopter
towing something orange underneath. I thought that it was a water
bucket but someone with binoculars said that it was a person.
It was flying high on the ridge above Kalalau Beach. They looked like
they were searching for something. We watched as we drove by wondering
what they were looking for. I did get some pictures although I wasn't
sure what I was looking for.
The next day I read in the Garden Island that it had been two hikers.
They were picked up and brought to the beach. I am guessing that is
where they started from.
Many times I am asked if people climb the cliffs of the Napali. The
answer is that the cliffs are not good for climbing. There is much
loose rock making them very dangerous no matter how good a climber
you are. The rock can give way or fall on you. In spite of this people
do climb the cliffs. Some are rescued, as in this case, putting the
rescue workers in danger themselves. Even with a helicopter it is
very dangerous to rescue people. Many places are too steep to get
a helicopter in the wind is often strong and gusty especially near
the ridges that they have to pick people off of. Some people fall,
some are just never heard from again, and some do make it. The cliffs
are very unforgiving.
The Hawaiians say that there were trails up the cliffs around the
island a long time ago. They are long gone now. I often look at the
cliffs and try to imagine were the trails might have gone. I have
no intention of trying to climb them though. They are not safe to
climb or even to stand too close to the edge or the bottom of them.
4-6-2008 I learned some new information about this rescue from someone
who was at Kalalau at the time.
The two were called Hollywood because they were working on a documentary
video. That morning a Monk seal had come up on Kalalau Beach to rest.
They spent much time watching the seal. They decided that it was a
sign that they should climb to the hole at the top of the cliff. The
people at Kalalau told them that that was not a good idea.
They climbs toward the hole and got very far up the cliff. Eventually
they called for help with their satellite phone. The helicopter rescued
them and brought them back to the beach. The rescuers would not let
them bring their backpack back with them. Afterwards all they were
thinking of was how to get back up the cliff and get their backpack
with their phone and video camera inside. |
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Story : 3-30-2006 Helicopter Rescue
