| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010 8:33 am |
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Local News 
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Stuck climber gets a lift from ledge near Granite Falls Helicopter crew rescues man stranded on ledge near Granite Falls GRANITE FALLS -- A 20-year-old Marysville man who became stuck about halfway down a 400-foot cliff above the Stillaguamish River was plucked from the rock face by a helicopter crew Tuesday afternoon.The climber, whose identity wasn't released, was reported stranded on a ledge near the Granite Falls fish ladder about 1:15 p.m., said Chief Jim Haverfield of the Granite Falls Fire District. He'd been rappelling down the cliff when he reportedly ran out of rope midway. It didn't take fire department crews long to realize they would need to try to rescue him from above because he would be difficult to reach, Haverfield said. The man wasn't carrying a cell phone and yelled to attract the attention of people wading in South Fork Stillaguamish River below. A search and rescue helicopter from the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office was summoned. The man, who wore red shorts and no shirt, took refuge on a ledge while rescuers plotted the best way to get him down. As the helicopter hovered overhead, the man braced himself against the rock and rubbed his eyes as dust blew. The helicopter approached and lowered a crew member. The rescuer clipped a cable to the stranded man's harness and he was carried to safety. Once the helicopter was in place, the whole thing took about five minutes. "That was textbook, right there," Haverfield said after the man was rescued. "It just shows you their training pays off." The man was flown to nearby Mountain Way Elementary School in Granite Falls where he received a quick checkup by emergency medical crews. He left quickly. Haverfield said the man was rappelling -- sliding down the rock face using a harness and other climbing gear. He reached the end of his rope and wasn't able to find a safe way back up, or down. "He was doing it alone," Haverfield said. Haverfield, who grew up in the town at the foothills of the Cascade Range, said Tuesday's rescue was by no means the first from the steep cliffs above Granite Falls. "We do probably one every couple of years, but a high angle like this isn't as common," he said. |
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COMMENTS
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I hope that he receives a bill for the cost of the rescue. I do not like paying taxes for some peoples lack of judgement, and I am very glad that he is still alive...
Dale dell | Jul 28, 2010 5:52 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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What kind of idiot goes rappelling alone, with no cell phone and only half the rope he needs? and who pays for this helicopter rescue? Personally I think a rope with a skeleton at the end of it would have made a neat road-side attraction for the Gold bar area.
arthur fonzarelli | Jul 28, 2010 6:05 am | 2 replies | Request removal
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Yes, but there is all the work of cutting the rope, preserving the skeleton, and then who is going to pay to have it shipped to Gold Bar from Granite Falls? Seems like a better idea just to leave him in Granite Falls.
S D | Jul 28, 2010 6:57 am | Request removal
sorry I got this idiot mixed up with the BASE jumper near Gold Bar. My idea works for either town.
arthur fonzarelli | Jul 28, 2010 12:50 pm | Request removal
Lets not be so rude in calling someone an idiot, for making the SMART decision for their life and asking for professional help, instead of trying to climb his own way down. Imagine if he did that, then what would you have to say? But then again, I'm sure you all made perfect, wise decisions when you were 20! That's why you're so mature as to say he might as well be dead. Look at yourself and think twice before you say that about someone you don't even know! :)
Nicci R | Jul 28, 2010 7:21 am | 3 replies | Request removal
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After all, this gentelman could be the next Republican Vice Presidential Candidate. He has all the qualifications. Not too bright, can only do half the job, and isn't qualified to finish what he set out to do.
JAMES CRONIN | Jul 28, 2010 11:37 am | Request removal
You make me laugh James I voted for the big change and I am still waiting for anything promised to happen. You speak of being Qualified for the job tell me about his?? I would love to hear what you think is the right stuff. So I guess that makes a whole lot of people Not to bright inclueding me and you who voted for him.
R R | Jul 28, 2010 12:32 pm | Request removal
I don't know who you two are arguing about nor what it has to do with this story, but it's entertaining. you voted for "big change"; does that mean Nader or Kucinich?
Nikki, you're talking about him like he's 5. "Billy I am disappointed in you for throwing a rock through that window, but I am glad you told the truth about it." Do you think the people who saved him thought "great job in calling for help. This guy is smart."?
arthur fonzarelli | Jul 28, 2010 12:48 pm | Request removal
sorry I got this idiot mixed up with the BASE jumper near Gold Bar. My idea works for either town.
arthur fonzarelli | Jul 28, 2010 12:29 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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What a retard. Rappelling down a cliff with a rope that only reaches halfway to the bottom ?
I hope this guy doesn't breed...we have enough stupid people in the world already.
Bince Bollom | Jul 28, 2010 8:53 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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Another idiot wasteing the states resources. He should have to pay for his little escapade and be fined.
R R | Jul 28, 2010 6:34 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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If the helicopter can't make it, Sibley probably knows where there is a jaggery ol' piece of haulback out at the shop you could lower to the next guy. That will deter the next rocket scientist...
Dave Oster | Jul 28, 2010 6:24 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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