Stranded Climber Rescued from Mount Yonah Ledge

A stranded climber was safely rescued from the west face of Mount Yonah on Tuesday evening after becoming trapped on a small ledge approximately 260 feet above the ground.

White County 911 received the call shortly after 7 p.m. on Aug. 25. The climber told dispatchers that they had become stranded while free climbing the face of the mountain.

Although the climber was not injured, they were unable to safely continue up or descend from the ledge.

White County Fire Services, White County Emergency Medical Services, White County Emergency Management and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources responded to the incident.

White County Emergency Management deployed an unmanned aircraft system, commonly known as a drone, to search the mountainside. The drone helped emergency personnel quickly locate the climber.

When firefighters reached the area, they determined that the individual was stranded on a ledge measuring approximately 20 inches by 20 inches, with no safe way to leave it.

Firefighter Will Roper rappelled down the face of the mountain to reach the climber. With assistance from emergency personnel operating the rope system from above, Roper secured the climber and helped bring them to safety.

The rescue was completed approximately 42 minutes after emergency crews arrived at the scene.

White County Public Safety praised the coordination among the responding agencies and recognized the personnel whose efforts brought the rescue to a safe and successful conclusion.