Published March 3, 2026 01:18PM
After a Terrifying Fall, a Climber Was Stranded 600 Feet Above the Desert Floor for 7 Hours
The climber, whose name has not been released, suffered severe head and back injuries. Their helmet was destroyed in the fall—but officials say it likely saved the victim’s life.
The climber landed on a pitch 600 feet above the ground (Photo: LVMP)
A climber fell at least 40 feet while on a wall in Nevada’s Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, landing 600 feet above ground on February 28. Their rescue, which involved multiple lowering stations spanning hundreds of feet, took the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police (LVMPD) Search and Rescue team seven hours.
The climber, whose name has not been released, suffered severe head and back injuries, the LVMPD wrote on Facebook. They fell while on the Dream Safari Route on the Dark Wall Shadows in Pine Creek.
The victim’s climbing partner and a guide from another party were able to reach the fallen climber and control their bleeding while waiting for search and rescue personnel. Responders found the trio at the top of the first pitch.
“Four SAR officers and a lead climb volunteer were inserted by AIR3 several hundred feet above the victim at the top of the route,” LVMP wrote on social media.
Rescue personnel then rappelled down to the climber’s location, provided further medical treatment, and put the climber in a titanium litter. During the descent, the victim was lowered to three separate stations.
ADVERTISEMENT
The climber was transported to a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) helipad, transferred to an ambulance, and taken to a local hospital. In all, search and rescue teams spent seven hours from initial insertion to final extraction.
“Although the victim’s helmet was destroyed during the fall, it likely saved their life. We continue to check in with the victim, and he’s continuing to recover and is in good spirits,” LVMP wrote.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Nevada is located about 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip. It’s a world-renowned popular climbing area, with many routes requiring hiking or scrambling to access.
