Park Rangers Rescue Stranded Hiker from Steep Gully in Death Valley

Park rangers in Death Valley National Park carried out a successful rescue on January 15 after a Belgian hiker became stranded on a steep, unstable slope in Mosaic Canyon. Two men had set out for a short hike, splitting up at a junction so one could explore a side canyon. The side canyon quickly became too steep, leaving the hiker—wearing only a T-shirt and lacking extra supplies—unable to ascend or descend.

The stranded man used a satellite-enabled phone to call for help. Rangers arrived roughly 40 minutes after sunset, and a rescue helicopter from Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake was also dispatched. However, the operation required careful planning to avoid dislodging loose rocks in the gusts from the helicopter’s rotors.

Instead, rangers secured a harness and helmet for the hiker and anchored webbing around a boulder. They safely lowered him down the slope before rappelling down themselves. The group returned to the trailhead around 7 p.m. without injury, highlighting the importance of proper planning and caution when exploring remote, rugged terrain.