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Volunteers rescue Rob Martin from a 6-inch ledge in the Sierra Nevada after a 15-hour operation

A four-person volunteer team from the Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue Team successfully rescued Rob Martin after he became stranded on a 6-inch ledge in a precarious gully of the Laurel Mountain. Martin was separated from his climbing partner and faced a 2,400-foot vertical drop if he slipped from his position. Due to high winds and heat, a helicopter hoist was not possible, forcing the team to navigate the terrain on foot. Rescuers spotted Martin, who had been stuck for nine hours, and secured him with a roped carabiner. The team worked through the night to lower and then ascend Martin back to the summit ridge. Mitchell Quiring, a spokesperson for the rescue team, noted that Martin's determination and grit were essential to his survival. The operation concluded near sunrise on Sunday, after the team and Martin successfully reached the safety of the off-road vehicle at the base of the mountain.

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