Rescuers rappelled down Lone Mountain in Las Vegas to save a stranded climber on Monday, August 10, after the individual appeared unable to descend the rocky face. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Search and Rescue team responded to the mountain's southern face when the climber became stuck.
Footage shows a police officer rappelling to the stranded climber and assisting them up the rock face. The rescuer then secured the climber, and a helicopter performed a "double-up Lezard hoist" to lift both individuals off the mountain. They were flown to a nearby landing zone and transferred to other first responders on the ground.
According to police, the climber, who was not identified, had indoor climbing experience but was unprepared for outdoor conditions and lacked any climbing equipment. Officials warned that outdoor climbing requires different skills, preparation, and risk assessment than indoor climbing.
"Outdoor climbing requires skills, preparation and risk assessment that are very different from climbing in a controlled indoor environment," police stated on X. "If you are inexperienced outdoors, seek instruction from a qualified guide or experienced mentor, stay on appropriate routes, carry the proper equipment, and don’t attempt terrain beyond your training or ability."
The climber did not sustain any injuries during the incident. The rescue occurred on a day when temperatures in Las Vegas reached a high of 106 degrees Fahrenheit, adding a heat factor to the operation.
Lone Mountain, located in northwest Las Vegas, stands approximately 560 feet above the desert floor and is a popular spot for hikers.