A man trapped behind a waterfall in the National Forest of Sequoia was raised by helicopter after being trapped there for two days, according to the Sheriff's office of Tulare County.
In a video, the office posted on social networks on Wednesday, a deputy is seen that gets off a corner behind the waterfall on the cascade on the seven cup of tea to reach Ryan Wardwell, 46, from Long Beach.
Wardwell embarked on the path on Sunday morning to rappel the waterfalls, but it was reported that he disappeared on Monday. It was last seen at the top of the waterfalls on Sunday night, near the northern bifurcation of the Kern River.
The Sheriff's office identified the location of Wardwell using infrared cameras and technology linked to the airplanes and devised a rescue plan to recover it at dawn the next morning.
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A Man from Long Beach was trapped while rapping in the midst of waterfalls in the National Sequoia forest, according to the officials.
On Tuesday morning, the Sheriff's office sent its search and rescue team, as well as a fast water diving team to the location. Using a drone, they found Wardwell behind the waterfall, alive and well, the office said. A California road patrol helicopter was sent to the scene, and Wardwell was taken from the waterfall.
The authorities said that he was later transferred to an landing zone near and treated for minor wounds and dehydration. He met with his family, who was also in the landing zone.
Wardwell told the authorities that he had left his rappel lines and was trapped behind the waterfall due to the intense flow of the river.
“The Emergency Services Division of TCSO reminds the public who is always aware of his surroundings and capabilities, especially when navigating in the Ríos de Aguas Blancas,” said the Sheriff's office in the position.
The path of the seven cups of tea, approximately 4 miles long, is known for its continuous and waterfall pools that resemble tea cups. The path runs along Dry Meadow Creek, which flows to the Kern River. Hiking blogs describe the way as challenging and potentially dangerous for those who are not prepared. You cannot complete only on foot, and hikers need rope and rappelling equipment for the cannon and rise again.
The American Canyoneering Assn. It describes the seven cups of tea as class 3C, which means that it has fluid water with strong currents and requires intermediate technical skills.
Last August, three hikers drowned as they swam in a swirl that unexpectedly formed at the end of the same path.
