The First-Ever Drone Rescue on a Vertical Wall
A successful drone rescue recently made history when two specialized unmanned aerial vehicles saved a climber trapped on a sheer vertical rock wall in Squamish, British Columbia. While the drones did not transport the climber directly, one illuminated the dark cliffside while the second delivered a lifeline, allowing the stranded mountaineer to safely descend on their own.
How the Squamish Search and Rescue Team Executed the Mission
Late on the night of the 10th, Squamish Search and Rescue (SAR) received an emergency call reporting a climber stranded midway up the iconic Stawamus Chief. The mountaineer was stuck roughly 77 meters above the ground on the 5-pitch ‘Alaska Highway’ route, clinging to a ledge only 25 centimeters wide with insufficient rope for a rappel. According to the American Alpine Club, the route features a 5.11+ difficulty rating.
With traditional helicopter and top-down rope rescues ruled out due to darkness, complex terrain, and rockfall hazards, Dustin Wales, the SAR drone program manager, deployed a pioneering strategy. Using laser distance meters, the team coordinated two drones: one provided intense illumination, while the other carried a 91-meter pilot line. Once the climber secured the line, ground crews hoisted a jacket and headlamp before sending up a high-strength climbing rope.
Years of Training Lead to Historic Success
According to climbing magazine Outside, this operation was no improvised stunt. The Squamish SAR drone team had spent two years practicing precision piloting and protocol procedures specifically for this scenario. However, team representatives confirmed that this marks the very first time the tactic has ever been successfully applied in an actual emergency rescue.
