A stranded BASE jumper was rescued from a cliff high above Squamish, British Columbia, after a complex late night operation on Tuesday involving helicopter crews and technical rope rescuers.
According to Squamish Search and Rescue, the incident marked the team’s third call of the day. Crews responded to the Slhanay Cliff area above Valleycliffe where a BASE jumper became stranded on steep terrain and was unable to get down without assistance.
North Shore Rescue deployed a small team of rope rescue technicians by helicopter. Using a helicopter hoist, the rescuers were inserted directly onto the cliff where they reached the stranded jumper and built a technical rope rescue system. The team then lowered the individual to a location where a helicopter could safely complete the extraction.
Several additional members of Squamish Search and Rescue hiked into the scene to provide support throughout the operation.
Rescuers also credited a friend who was with the BASE jumper for acting quickly after the incident. The friend secured the parachute while crews worked their way to the stranded athlete which helped reduce the risk during the rescue.
The operation wrapped up around 2:30am. Despite the difficult location and the technical nature of the rescue, the BASE jumper escaped with only minor scratches and was otherwise uninjured.
Many residents in the Valleycliffe neighborhood noticed helicopter activity overnight. Squamish Search and Rescue acknowledged the unusual sight and explained that the operation unfolded exactly as planned with multiple agencies working together to complete the rescue safely.
The organization thanked North Shore Rescue, Talon Helicopters, and the flight crew for their partnership during the mission. While this incident ended with only minor injuries, it serves as another reminder that BASE jumping carries significant consequences when something goes wrong. Even a routine jump can quickly turn into a technical rescue requiring specialized personnel, advanced equipment, and seamless coordination between air crews and ground teams.