How drones helped rescue climber stranded on B.C. cliff face

September 11, 2026

A climber stranded 77 metres up British Columbia’s Stawamus Chief was rescued at night with help from two drones. One drone illuminated the cliff face while the other delivered a messenger line that allowed rescuers to send up a rope, enabling the climber to rappel safely to the ground. The drone-assisted operation reduced the risks posed by darkness, rockfall and the difficult terrain, while rescuers also sent up a jacket to keep the climber warm. WFP