A drone image from the nighttime rescue of a climber stranded 77 metres up the Stawamus Chief cliff face, in Squamish, B.C., on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, is shown in this handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Squamish Search and Rescue (Mandatory Credit)

By The Canadian Press

How drones helped rescue climber stranded on B.C. cliff face

Sep 11, 2026 | 8:59 AM

SQUAMISH — Two drones played key roles in the nighttime rescue of a climber stranded 77 metres up a British Columbia cliff face this week, one helping deliver a rope and the other lighting the way.

Squamish Search and Rescue says in a social media statement that the rescue happened Wednesday night on the famed Stawamus Chief some 60 kilometres north of Vancouver.

It says the climber became stranded on a climbing route known as the “Alaska Highway,” described by climbers community Mountain Project as a 167-metre climb with “an imposing system of overhanging corners and chimneys.”

Squamish Search and Rescue says the climber was stranded while secured to an anchor attached to the cliff but did not have a rope.

Rescuers were also challenged by darkness, the scale of the terrain and “significant” rockfall exposure for a traditional rope rescue.

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That was when rescue crews deployed the two drones, one illuminating the rock face with a flood light and the other delivering a messenger line to the climber, which was attached to a rope the climber used to rappel to the ground.

“A jacket was also sent up to help keep him warm while the rescue was underway,” Squamish Search and Rescue says in its statement.

“This was a great example of the value of an established drone program — and how the right tools, used in the right circumstances, can help reduce risk for both rescuers and those we’re called to help.”

How drones helped rescue climber stranded on B.C. cliff face

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