US Climber Rescued After Calling 911 With One Hand From 260-Foot Cliff
Thestandard · 3 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A 20-year-old free climber was dramatically rescued from Mount Yonah in Georgia after calling 911 with one hand while clinging to a narrow ledge about 260 feet above the ground. The incident occurred on August 25 when the man, identified by some US media as Thomas Perry, took a wrong route during his solo climb without any safety equipment. Despite the life-threatening situation, he remained remarkably calm and even asked the 911 operator whether he would end up on the news, explaining that he did not want his father to worry about him. White County Public Safety deployed a drone to locate the stranded climber, and firefighter Will Roper successfully completed the rescue in approximately 42 minutes. The climber suffered no injuries and was praised for making the right decision to call for help rather than attempting to continue climbing or descend on his own.
Key Points
- The climber became stranded on the west face of Mount Yonah on August 25 at around 7 PM, on a ledge measuring only about 20 inches by 20 inches (roughly 50 cm by 50 cm)
- He was wearing ordinary running shoes and carried a backpack, with no rope, helmet, harness, or any other safety gear
- While hanging approximately 260 feet (about 79-80 meters) above the ground on a near-vertical granite cliff face, he called 911 with one hand and asked, "I'm not going to be on the news or anything, am I?"
- White County Public Safety used a drone to locate the climber, and firefighter Will Roper rappelled down to secure him in a rescue harness before both were pulled to safety
- Roper noted this was his first real mountain rescue operation, having only trained with dummy models previously, and described the climber as "strikingly calm" throughout
Why It Matters
This incident highlights the critical importance of proper preparation and safety equipment when engaging in free climbing or hiking on challenging terrain, even on familiar routes. The climber's decision to stop and call for help rather than attempt a risky self-rescue potentially saved his life, and serves as a valuable lesson for outdoor enthusiasts about knowing when to abandon an ascent. For Hong Kong hikers who frequently tackle trails like Lion's Rock or Dragon's Back, the story underscores that overconfidence on familiar terrain can prove fatal, and that carrying communication devices and emergency gear is essential regardless of experience level.
This incident highlights the critical importance of proper preparation and safety equipment when engaging in free climbing or hiking on challenging terrain, even on familiar routes. The climber's decision to stop and call for help rather than attempt a risky self-rescue potentially saved his life, and serves as a valuable lesson for outdoor enthusiasts about knowing when to abandon an ascent. For Hong Kong hikers who frequently tackle trails like Lion's Rock or Dragon's Back, the story underscores that overconfidence on familiar terrain can prove fatal, and that carrying communication devices and emergency gear is essential regardless of experience level.