The California National Guard rescued three hikers stranded near the summit of Mt. Whitney on Tuesday morning.
A Cal Guard Chinook helicopter, ridden by three Inyo County Search and Rescue officials, was sent to rescue the hikers at 8:00 a.m, according to the guard's facebook page.
It took the rescue team 20 minutes to arrive and locate the hikers, who were at 12,600 feet of elevation. The mountain’s peak is at 14,494 feet, making it the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States.
The helicopter could only land with its rear wheels on the mountain, but the crew was able to safely load the hikers into the chopper and returned them to Bishop Airport.
Raymond Urena, who identified himself as one of the stranded hikers, posted a comment to the guard’s facebook page thanking them.
“We are the hikers who called for help! Thank you so much for your service!! We are so glad to see them safe and alive!!!” Urena’s comment read.
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