Upon noticing an unattended vehicle in the Chaparral parking lot on the West Side ranger Shawn Murphy initiated the search effort. Murphy recognized the vehicle as belonging to local resident. The man was well known to district staff as a hiker who frequently explores off-trail, but always returns to his vehicle well before dark. The Hiker had wisely left a note on the vehicle, saying that he was headed to Resurrection Wall.

The 80-year-old man has had two knee replacement operations further hastening the search of the Resurrection Wall area. Murphy made voice contact with the hiker who was stranded on a ledge 25 feet above the base of the wall at around 10:00 PM.

Rangers from the East Side immediately helped in coordinating the necessary rescue effort. The man became stuck on the ledge after attempting to reach his dropped backpack. When he found that he was stranded, he chose to stay put and await help. Thankfully, the hiker was uninjured.

The Park Service notes that increased visitation this spring has brought with it a noticeable increase in SAR and EMS incidents.