Strangers Form Human Chain to Rescue Two Hikers Stranded on Yosemite’s Half Dome
Hundreds of feet above the valley floor at Yosemite National Park, two hikers found themselves stranded on a nearly sheer granite slope, dangerously far from the safety cables of Half Dome. As conditions deteriorated, a group of strangers joined forces in an extraordinary rescue effort, assembling a makeshift chain of climbing equipment and sheer human strength and determination to bring both hikers back to safety before emergency crews arrived.
The rescue unfolded Oct. 12 on Half Dome, one of Yosemite’s most recognizable landmarks. A woman descending the mountain’s famous cables lost her footing and slid across the exposed rock. Her fiancé rushed to help, already fearing the worst, only to find himself stranded beyond the cables as well.
Among the people who came to their aid were 20-year-old Ian Moran and David Morgenstern, an Air Force Reserve officer with firefighting and climbing experience. As the wind picked up and light snow began falling, they worked alongside other hikers to bring the couple back to safety.
The extraordinary effort came to light in a Nov. 6 report by SFGATE, which interviewed involved parties and obtained confirmation of the incident from the National Park Service.
Strangers Turned Climbing Gear Into a Rescue System
Embedded media follows. Please allow a moment for it to load.
Moran and his father, Brian, had completed their own ascent of Half Dome when they heard someone scream. Looking toward the cables, they saw a woman slide down the granite. She eventually stopped on the steep slope, dangerously far from the safety of the established route.
Her fiancé attempted to reach her and ended up clinging to a small ledge. Ian climbed back toward the couple, although, unfortunately, reaching either person safely would require more than his climbing shoes and determination alone.
Fortunately, he was not alone. Not remotely.
Other hikers began contributing rope, slings, and carabiners to build a makeshift chain.
Morgenstern arrived after another visitor alerted him to the emergency. He checked the improvised equipment, corrected potential problems, and helped secure the chain to one of the cable supports. Several men positioned themselves along its length while Ian carefully moved toward the stranded fiancé and helped him back to safer ground.
The woman remained farther down the slope. More hikers contributed their climbing harnesses, which Morgenstern connected to extend the rescue system. Seven men helped support the chain as he made his way toward her, then carefully guided her back toward the cables.
Both Hikers Were Safe Before Rangers Arrived
Morgenstern described the rescue to SFGATE in detail, explaining how he instructed the woman to move carefully and avoid sudden movements on the slippery rock. Her jacket had been torn during the fall, and the weather was deteriorating around them.
Once the woman reached the cables, the danger had passed. A Yosemite ranger arrived shortly afterward carrying technical rescue equipment and found that neither hiker required immediate assistance.
According to the National Park Service statement provided to SFGATE, emergency dispatchers received the initial report at approximately 2:30 p.m., and a ranger reached the scene at 2:56 p.m.
Half Dome’s final ascent is notoriously treacherous, particularly when rain or snow makes the granite slippery. The National Park Service warns hikers about the risks along the exposed 400-foot cable route and advises against attempting the climb when storm clouds are present. The steep terrain offers little room for error, even for experienced climbers.
