2 Hikers Rescued from Iconic Climbing Route on 3rd Pillar of Dana, a Notorious Eastern Sierra, CA, Ski Line

Two hikers were rescued late Sunday night after becoming stranded while scaling the 3rd Pillar of Dana, a dramatic granite buttress rising above the Eastern Sierra near Lee Vining. The incident occurred on the final pitch of the Regular Route, a classic technical climbing line known for its exposure, complexity, and alpine setting.

The Mono County Sheriff’s Office said it received a distress call just after 9:30 p.m. on August 4. The hikers reported they were stuck, unable to continue their ascent, and had no injuries but were cold and fatigued. Two search and rescue teams were dispatched to the high-alpine area above Dana Meadows and the Tioga Pass corridor, but initial efforts to locate the pair at their reported coordinates were unsuccessful.

Eventually, rescuers made verbal contact with the hikers after locating them in a slightly different position from where they were expected to be. Once the team reached them, they provided food, water, and warmer clothing before safely assisting them down the mountain, according to the Mono County Sheriff’s Office via KOLO 8 News Now.

The 3rd Pillar of Dana is a storied objective in the Eastern Sierra for both climbers and extreme skiers. Just beside the pillar lies a harrowing, high-consequence ski descent of the same name—a razor-thin couloir known for its technical terrain and consequential exposure. In winter, this line is reserved for only the most experienced backcountry skiers due to avalanche risk, steep pitches exceeding 50 degrees, and mandatory technical exits.

While the hikers involved in Sunday’s incident were climbing, not skiing, their situation shows the seriousness of navigating high-elevation terrain in the Dana Plateau area, regardless of the season. The Mono County Sheriff’s Office did not release the identities of the hikers. No injuries were reported.