That's my amazing husband!! HE IS A HERO!!! Thanks to his quick thinking, even under so much pressure, he was able to save a life. And thanks to the people down the mountain for helping. It wouldn't have been possible without such awesome teamwork.
The man is my brother-in-law. He was descending when someone above him dropped a cellphone or something. He tried to grab it and started sliding. He finally stopped the slide on some small toe hold. He couldn't move without sliding more; he was stuck. The quick thinking of the people there (which included his sister and some friends) and the heroic actions of James Williams saved his life.
@Joe Weber this idiot. STAY inside the cables dumb ass !! Who cares about a stupid cell phone. Putting all these others at risk to save him because hes an idiot !!
Dear Lord. I flew in the Navy…never had a fear of heights…..but I could not believe how my palms sweated watching this. In law enforcement, we used to say, a good day was any day when everyone “goes home”. This, thank God, turned out to be a “good day”. Whew.
I love the way people work together when someone is in dire need. You can tell they are a proud group of people, to even attempt to do what they do is amazing. Saving someone's life is the greatest height you can ever climb...
I've been climbing in Yosemite for years and have descended the cables numerous times. They are great and we generally come down on the outside to give more room to the hikers. But no one I climb with would leave the cables unroped regardless of what we dropped. The glacial polished granite in the valley can be very hard to read especially on descent. And it's sandy in places. It definitely deserves more respect than it is often afforded.
I went up several times, the last was in 1992, and no one roped-up back then. That last time, when we were on the way down, a great big guy froze-up and was holding both cables so a lot of people were backed up. We decided it would be safer to go on the outside, and we did with no ropes, it was pretty wild.
I take people up there all the time, and know how real the danger can be. This brought me to tears. Thank God for the goodness of others. Those people are heroes!
I am a family member of the man who saved this hiker. The hiker went off the trail to pick something up and slipped down the rock until he got caught there on his back in that crevice. (about an 8,000 ft drop below) My cousin took off running down the trail to find help while my cousin-in-law James Williams came up with this plan to use the cable as a rope by pulling each pole out and swinging it over. He could not swing the cable over by himself (these poles are very heavy and made of metal) so with the help of other hikers below, they were able to swing it over to the man so he could grab it and walk safely back. Film cred to my uncle
I know the man who was saved; we hiked HD 3 years running. He’s an experienced hiker who’s done this before & simply lost his grip on the cables. Ironically, the last year we went, he did the entire hike & then turned around to rescue members of his group who’d gotten disoriented. If you’ve done Half Dome, imagine finishing the hike & then going back up Vernal Falls & leading 2 people down in the dark. Heroism comes full circle! :) So glad you're okay, Terry, and special thanks to YOUR rescuers!
I’m related to the guy who fell. We make soaps out of bees wax and fermented yak piss. He was up there trying to give out free samples and accidentally stepped on a bar of soap and slipped. Thankfully the guy up top didn’t get a free sample so he saved my relative to get a free bar of soap. I’m forever thankful.
Bravo!! Do not take HD for granted. It is serious stuff. We scaled it three days before this rescue, and discovered we were way out of our league halfway up. (at our ages- LOL). We prepared for the vertical hiking for months, but not for the arm strength needed for the cables. Heroes all the way around, here.
That is some serious hero cred. God was with you both. My palms were sweating just watching this. 99% of people wouldn't have had the courage. Well done.
I'm guessing it eventually happened, but at least in this clip I noticed the guy who was rescued seemed to thank everyone but the guy who actually risked his life to do so. You can see how taxing it was for him to do, because he tries to stand up at one point and just falls back down because his legs simply give out from the stress of being on them all that time during the rescue. I would have been wrapped around that dude in forever gratitude.
This is my cousin’s sisters boyfriends, father-in-laws half brother. He’s absolutely a hero! I’m so thankful to have been on the phone with all of this happening. I actually should be getting thanked for this because I walked him through the whole process, but some hero’s are never known.
I've been in your shoes, and you never quiet get comfortable with being called hero, but there is no doubt you saved a man's life that day. I've also been up Half Dome and had someone above me drop a water bottle. If you've been there, you know how steep it is and how AMAZINGLY calm you'd have to be to come up with the plan to use the cables to rescue him, and how brave you'd have to be to step out on the face alone outside them... Wear your title proudly, hero.
Than you guys for rescuing my family member! This guy is my great great great great grandaddy. He dropped his cane an eyepiece on the way up and ran over the ot edge to get to get it and he slipped and fell. It almost gave me a a heart attack. I was .02 years old at the time but is still remember it as clear as day!
I was surprised to read the poles actually come out of the granite ! I sure hope they drilled the holes for the poles really deep into the granite?? Glad he was rescued. Kudos to James William's. Hope he was formally recognized?
They are about 5-6inches deep. They come out easily but the cables are bolted down so it really doesnt matter other than not allowing another rest spot
Yes the cable supports/poles are not hard cemented into the rock and will pull out if a person wants to lift them out inadvertently or not. Ive done this hike/climb 4 times in my life and Im sure they have been "loose" since my first ascent in 1978. The NPS takes the cable system down every Fall so I guess they wouldn't want to cement the poles into the rock. Despite what you have heard this is NOT a death defying, suicidal hike, just use your wits, concentrate on good footing and take measured steps.
It is death defying to me. It’s funny how people who’ve climbed this dome countless times don’t call it death defying. Anything that is higher than three stories is death defying.
Dude, I was there when this happened. I was coming down behind the dude who tried to retrieve his cell phone battery when he dropped his phone. I came down pretty quick, and had to pass that stuff up. The Helicopter was called in cuz it was late in the day. The Rescue Team was already hiking up fast, and I did not have a Permit, so I got well out of there ($5,000 Fine). While switching from climbing shoes to Hiking Boots I seen this dude come up with taking the upright galvanized poles out to have the cable reach him. VERY mpressive.. I was down by then I came down while this was going on past that because there was nothing when I looked back up this guy was stripping out the polls and he definitely save that guy because the rescue crew came up. I don’t know about 40 minutes later or 30 minutes later I’m not sure and helicopter couldn’t land so it was too windy. But I remember the guy who was doing the film, kept saying James that guy life I remember the guys name is James
How did he get off the cables ? Back in 08 I had to tie a rope around a woman's waist and mine as she froze on the cables coming down, she was hyperventilating and I had to assure everything will be OK..we took one step at a time, another guy helped behind me and when we got down I was unable to open my hands and move my fingers and she whispered that's the safest I ever felt in a man's arms gave me a kiss on the cheek. I asked why are you doing this if your afraid of heights she was with alumi to hike the dome for a 40th bday. You Cali girls rock 😘 I went bk 10 yrs later in 2018 and hiked it again when i got lucky and won the lottery.
The cable route is not really dangerous, if you are prepared. Gloves: a must. 2 hands on the cables at all times. It is about a steep as a flight of stairs. To me, the scariest part is other climbers. I wonder of some of these falls were the result of hit by someone coming down. I have seen items dropped midway up the cables. Zing! Right over the side at high speed. If you drop your phone on that route, LET IT GO!
This guy is risking his life and he has to be accurate as hell to save someone else and the cameraman can’t even keep the shot in focus. You had one job
Not sure how you got there, but glad you are safe. I hope the incident was reported to the Rangers to make sure cables are once again in the safest postion for all new visitors to Half Dome. Be safe in all your new adventures.
Seriously? This is actually my neighbor in Chicago and I really think its sad that people make light of something so serious! Its not cool. He risked his life to save someone and should have the recognition.. Also in 1966 he made Four touchdowns including the game-winning touchdown in the final seconds for Polk High School Panthers in the championship game against Andrew Johnson High School. We will Never Forget.
They pulled the cables out of their attachments. That is smart: a ready made rescue line. The cables are left on the mountain all year, but the posts are removed because water would get in the post holes, freeze, and crack the granite. The poles are loosely set the the holes, fortunate in this case. That was quick thinking.Good Job!
He may not have gone off trail intentionally. The description said he tried to catch a falling phone and slipped. How do you know he was not on the trail when he tried to catch the phone? He may have even been trying to catch it to prevent it from striking someone below. Couch quarterbacking.
@Joe Weber You're wrong. I only respond because I have firsthand knowledge. He was far higher up ON THE CABLES (i.e., did not go off route), when he lost his grip and that was the direction he slid. That man has hiked Half Dome and had gone up and down the cables on at least three separate occasions. He wasn't doing anything risky, wasn't taking chances or being irresponsible, just lost his grip. It's a beautiful, wonderful hike but obviously can be dangerous even for experienced hikers. This isn't an example of some idiot taking unnecessary risks, it's an example that this can happen to anybody. Be careful.
So which is the full story? Did the guy try to grab a falling cell phone while he was between the cables, or was he trying to be a hero and go off trail to get the cell phone? Two completely different stories. If he was within the cables and lost his footing while trying to grab the phone, than my heart goes out to him, but If he left the safety of the cables, than thats on him. I would not want any family member of mine risking their life to save someone who has no regard for their own safety and the safety of others. The whole story needs to be told here.
it is amazing to me that there was no coverage- park keeps things hush- I am on trail crew (trail crew primarily put up and take down cable route each season)-I went up to meet ranger next morning to put the poles back in. I think this guy has quick wits and balls and ability to lead... he had others throw the poles from holes(still attached to cable, in order to pull this rescue off. the guy who gets rescued fell when someone above him dropped a cell phone and he tried to catch it(while on cable route).... It gets me that a few attitudes within park toward the rescuer, painted him as a fool(that would be the 1% club)(one with this attitude was a boss 3 levels above me... this boss was a fool)
the rescuer did a fine job...but the guy that tried to catch the cell is a fool ...putting his life and the rescuer's life on the line just to save a phone....
I can't believe how lucky this hiker was...one for finding that crack to making stop the slide and second..having that guy with quick think the balls to pull the safe....amazing. Now..the park learning from this incredible crazy situation must have long safety ropes at the bottom label for emergency use only..put it in some kind of fire glass type box to be broken just if needed. It would make saving some one like this much easier and safer.
James Williams is for sure a hero! What an AMAZING group of people and their team work. You all get my kudos. Not sure how or why the situation started, not relevant but glad everyone was/is safe and the rangers got things put back together.
you really did upload it! thanks. i'm part of the group that went up and down at almost the same time as you guys (i was wearing the team usa basketball jersey)
Lesson to be learned -- if someone drops something, don't risk your life trying to catch it. If you drop something -- phone, wallet -- do not leave the safety of the cables. Not unless you are wearing a climbing harness and are clipped into an anchor or being belayed.
after looking at modern closer videos in hd of this mountain, this is actually insane. how did he even end up so far to the right of the cable path? Its extrem,ely steep too. Doesnt even look like it here, but it is fcking terrifying
oh my god i just started this video. does he/she survive? i cant watch! ok so he does. the rescuer so woofed cant stand up. he needed tending to. good job!
At amusement parks you often see warnings to make sure your phones etc are properly secured so they don't fall out on the rides. A similar warning at the bottom of the cables might be good.
I'd say if youre dumb enough to risk losing your grip and your life because you want a selfie you deserve what you get. A $600 phone isn't something I'd risk my life for. Natural selection at work.
It’s mind boggling that you read into the description that he left the trail to retrieve something on the rocks when it only stated that he tried to catch a phone and slipped. Perhaps he was trying to prevent the phone hitting someone below, but I guess that possibility wasn’t considered since it involves empathy.
That's my amazing husband!! HE IS A HERO!!! Thanks to his quick thinking, even under so much pressure, he was able to save a life. And thanks to the people down the mountain for helping. It wouldn't have been possible without such awesome teamwork.
James is a hero!
God bless you and your husband, Andrea Williams! Was he ever formally recognized for this? Still, I'm glad that he did the right thing.
Try to ignore the heartless comments. Thank God he's safe
hero
i could do that easily
The man is my brother-in-law. He was descending when someone above him dropped a cellphone or something. He tried to grab it and started sliding. He finally stopped the slide on some small toe hold. He couldn't move without sliding more; he was stuck. The quick thinking of the people there (which included his sister and some friends) and the heroic actions of James Williams saved his life.
Horrible camera work Uncle Herb! 2012?
@Joe Weber this idiot. STAY inside the cables dumb ass !! Who cares about a stupid cell phone. Putting all these others at risk to save him because hes an idiot !!
@Joe Weber ,You would be very surprised at how many Cell Phone Zombies would go after their dear phones. No limit on stupidity.
@@193322009 it literally says he tried to grab someone else's phone. not his own
@Joe Weber its an reaction its never a made decision
The real hero is whoever stabilized this footage.
I completely agree.
Facts
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I got a little motion sickness.
Epic 😎
All of us in Terry's family are forever indebted to your husband, Andrea.
ya
Lmfao
how is every person in the comments related to either the hiker who fell or the hiker who saved the hiker who fell lol
Lmao
Holy shit I thought you were joking!!! Literally everybody knows his person!!
😂 started reading the comments after seeing this comment
Plot twist , I am the hiker and the guy who saved him , plus I was watching it all go down
Bruh, my dad made that camera that they filmed this on..
Dear Lord. I flew in the Navy…never had a fear of heights…..but I could not believe how my palms sweated watching this. In law enforcement, we used to say, a good day was any day when everyone “goes home”. This, thank God, turned out to be a “good day”. Whew.
That guy was my ping pong coach back in high school. Wow glad he made it out alive
Ping Pong coach...really?
@ yeah, dude was crazy. He had us in the weight room most of the time doing wrist workouts. I mean all I wanted to do was pong ,ya feel me?
I love the way people work together when someone is in dire need. You can tell they are a proud group of people, to even attempt to do what they do is amazing. Saving someone's life is the greatest height you can ever climb...
I've been climbing in Yosemite for years and have descended the cables numerous times. They are great and we generally come down on the outside to give more room to the hikers. But no one I climb with would leave the cables unroped regardless of what we dropped. The glacial polished granite in the valley can be very hard to read especially on descent. And it's sandy in places. It definitely deserves more respect than it is often afforded.
"And it's sandy in places." It can be like walking on ball bearings on a metal floor.
nice
I went up several times, the last was in 1992, and no one roped-up back then. That last time, when we were on the way down, a great big guy froze-up and was holding both cables so a lot of people were backed up. We decided it would be safer to go on the outside, and we did with no ropes, it was pretty wild.
I take people up there all the time, and know how real the danger can be. This brought me to tears. Thank God for the goodness of others. Those people are heroes!
What a weird statement to make. Wtf
.
@@michellethomas5893 what’s weird about it?
@@Damian_mtn I'm sure they're referring to the "brought me to tears part"
I am a family member of the man who saved this hiker. The hiker went off the trail to pick something up and slipped down the rock until he got caught there on his back in that crevice. (about an 8,000 ft drop below) My cousin took off running down the trail to find help while my cousin-in-law James Williams came up with this plan to use the cable as a rope by pulling each pole out and swinging it over. He could not swing the cable over by himself (these poles are very heavy and made of metal) so with the help of other hikers below, they were able to swing it over to the man so he could grab it and walk safely back. Film cred to my uncle
cool story bro.
There's a place for immature jokes. It isn't here. Anyone who has ever feared that they were going to die at the hands of a cliff can attest to this.
Thanks for sharing Olivia!
nice to know there are still some great folks out there
more like 1,000 ft...
I know the man who was saved; we hiked HD 3 years running. He’s an experienced hiker who’s done this before & simply lost his grip on the cables. Ironically, the last year we went, he did the entire hike & then turned around to rescue members of his group who’d gotten disoriented. If you’ve done Half Dome, imagine finishing the hike & then going back up Vernal Falls & leading 2 people down in the dark. Heroism comes full circle! :) So glad you're okay, Terry, and special thanks to YOUR rescuers!
Thank you to all that helped in this amazing rescue. Our family cannot express the extent of our gratitude. My wife is glad she still has her brother.
.
Its unsettling watching him slowly slide down and having to keep pushing himself up. Great job to the rescuer.
I’m related to the guy who fell. We make soaps out of bees wax and fermented yak piss. He was up there trying to give out free samples and accidentally stepped on a bar of soap and slipped. Thankfully the guy up top didn’t get a free sample so he saved my relative to get a free bar of soap. I’m forever thankful.
I'm a farmer that raises yaks, ferments the piss, then sends it to market. Thanks for supporting my business.
@@markwhite6782 bless your soul.
How brave and loving thing to do for someone, who is not your family. You are our hero here in Finland too. All the best for you and your family.
I’d like to thank that brave mans parents for raising a good man!
I too am distantly related somehow to both men involved. Grateful they both crossed paths in this momentous moment.
Bravo!! Do not take HD for granted. It is serious stuff. We scaled it three days before this rescue, and discovered we were way out of our league halfway up. (at our ages- LOL). We prepared for the vertical hiking for months, but not for the arm strength needed for the cables. Heroes all the way around, here.
One of the most heroic things I have ever seen.
That is some serious hero cred. God was with you both. My palms were sweating just watching this. 99% of people wouldn't have had the courage.
Well done.
How do you know god was with them? this implies god is responsible for deaths on the mountain. nonsense.
Clachan a Choin He is responsible, the Lord giveth and the Lord Taketh away. The days of men are numbered... etc
I'm guessing it eventually happened, but at least in this clip I noticed the guy who was rescued seemed to thank everyone but the guy who actually risked his life to do so. You can see how taxing it was for him to do, because he tries to stand up at one point and just falls back down because his legs simply give out from the stress of being on them all that time during the rescue. I would have been wrapped around that dude in forever gratitude.
Koko Kosila
Hes probably experiencing adrenaline dumping.
I think the people he was hugging were his family members.
i noticed exactly the same....
Yeah that blew me away.. iv seen this video before and everytime I just can’t believe he didn’t go hug and thank the rescuer. Pisses me off
@@braddefnet7218 He is hugging him at 4:33.
This is my cousin’s sisters boyfriends, father-in-laws half brother. He’s absolutely a hero! I’m so thankful to have been on the phone with all of this happening. I actually should be getting thanked for this because I walked him through the whole process, but some hero’s are never known.
I've been in your shoes, and you never quiet get comfortable with being called hero, but there is no doubt you saved a man's life that day.
I've also been up Half Dome and had someone above me drop a water bottle. If you've been there, you know how steep it is and how AMAZINGLY calm you'd have to be to come up with the plan to use the cables to rescue him, and how brave you'd have to be to step out on the face alone outside them...
Wear your title proudly, hero.
Myself and these guys are related through a 3.5 million year old hominin Australopithecus Anamensis so I'm very grateful they are ok.
no way me too!!
@@Keewaf No way! Wow its a such small world! Hope you and everyone else on your side of our family is doing well, take care ok 👋😂
Probably much more recently than that.
@@ed9492 yes, almost definitely.
Best comment ever 😂
Oh my goodness! So thankful he was saved and for the man who had the brilliant idea to use the cables as a rope. Seriously so amazing!
Than you guys for rescuing my family member! This guy is my great great great great grandaddy. He dropped his cane an eyepiece on the way up and ran over the ot edge to get to get it and he slipped and fell. It almost gave me a a heart attack. I was .02 years old at the time but is still remember it as clear as day!
🤣🤣🤣
He’s my double first cousin because my parents are brother and sister. Our family thanks you for saving him
This deserves more views.
I climbed it when I was 64. Once was enough!
I was surprised to read the poles actually come out of the granite ! I sure hope they drilled the holes for the poles really deep into the granite?? Glad he was rescued. Kudos to James William's. Hope he was formally recognized?
They are about 5-6inches deep. They come out easily but the cables are bolted down so it really doesnt matter other than not allowing another rest spot
the Poles are installed during the summer season and removed after to prevent folks from going up there when snow is present.
Now, who gets to replant the poles?
Yes the cable supports/poles are not hard cemented into the rock and will pull out if a person wants to lift them out inadvertently or not. Ive done this hike/climb 4 times in my life and Im sure they have been "loose" since my first ascent in 1978. The NPS takes the cable system down every Fall so I guess they wouldn't want to cement the poles into the rock.
Despite what you have heard this is NOT a death defying, suicidal hike, just use your wits, concentrate on good footing and take measured steps.
It's nice to hear someone be rational about this climb. Everyone is headset on calling it "death defying".
It is death defying to me. It’s funny how people who’ve climbed this dome countless times don’t call it death defying. Anything that is higher than three stories is death defying.
It might not be "death defying" to you, be to many people it is. Especially those not accustomed to climbing.
Phil Carmicharel: It might not be "death defying" to you, be to many people it is. Especially those not accustomed to climbing.
Yeah, I wouldn’t call it death defying but what I would say is that the guy in this video just defied death.
Angels in human form...
Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Good job, Mr. James Williams!
Dude, I was there when this happened. I was coming down behind the dude who tried to retrieve his cell phone battery when he dropped his phone. I came down pretty quick, and had to pass that stuff up. The Helicopter was called in cuz it was late in the day. The Rescue Team was already hiking up fast, and I did not have a Permit, so I got well out of there ($5,000 Fine). While switching from climbing shoes to Hiking Boots I seen this dude come up with taking the upright galvanized poles out to have the cable reach him. VERY mpressive..
I was down by then I came down while this was going on past that because there was nothing when I looked back up this guy was stripping out the polls and he definitely save that guy because the rescue crew came up. I don’t know about 40 minutes later or 30 minutes later I’m not sure and helicopter couldn’t land so it was too windy.
But I remember the guy who was doing the film, kept saying James that guy life I remember the guys name is James
This made me emotional. How frightening for everyone. What a scary lesson. Glad everyone was okay 🙏🏽❤️
How did he get off the cables ?
Back in 08 I had to tie a rope around a woman's waist and mine as she froze on the cables coming down, she was hyperventilating and I had to assure everything will be OK..we took one step at a time, another guy helped behind me and when we got down I was unable to open my hands and move my fingers and she whispered that's the safest I ever felt in a man's arms gave me a kiss on the cheek. I asked why are you doing this if your afraid of heights she was with alumi to hike the dome for a 40th bday. You Cali girls rock 😘 I went bk 10 yrs later in 2018 and hiked it again when i got lucky and won the lottery.
Down is harder than up.
My Dad worked for the company who weaved most of the ropes used to make this rescue possible.
The cable route is not really dangerous, if you are prepared. Gloves: a must. 2 hands on the cables at all times. It is about a steep as a flight of stairs. To me, the scariest part is other climbers. I wonder of some of these falls were the result of hit by someone coming down. I have seen items dropped midway up the cables. Zing! Right over the side at high speed. If you drop your phone on that route, LET IT GO!
This guy is risking his life and he has to be accurate as hell to save someone else and the cameraman can’t even keep the shot in focus. You had one job
He also shoots big foot and loch ness footage in his spare time.
Not sure how you got there, but glad you are safe. I hope the incident was reported to the Rangers to make sure cables are once again in the safest postion for all new visitors to Half Dome. Be safe in all your new adventures.
That's a beautiful place, I've dreamed of seeing it. But no one would have to rescue Sammy from up there. I'm not going up there. Awesome job.
Really lucky. I climbed Half Dome last September.i
It's not for the faint of heart.
The climb with the cables up is very very serious the descent is beyond serious-- have respect for the rock and don't be foolish!
Seriously? This is actually my neighbor in Chicago and I really think its sad that people make light of something so serious! Its not cool. He risked his life to save someone and should have the recognition.. Also in 1966 he made Four touchdowns including the game-winning touchdown in the final seconds for Polk High School Panthers in the championship game against Andrew Johnson High School. We will Never Forget.
The man was my uncle. He passed away just a few years ago. He owned a Dairy Queen. He was a good man.
I wonder why the people who where so happy to have their loved one back didn't go to also huge the guy who saved him?
Seriously
They pulled the cables out of their attachments. That is smart: a ready made rescue line. The cables are left on the mountain all year, but the posts are removed because water would get in the post holes, freeze, and crack the granite. The poles are loosely set the the holes, fortunate in this case. That was quick thinking.Good Job!
So if you take out the post and leave a large(r) hole, water can't get in, freeze and crack it? Cool
Im glad they gave the camera to someone with a steady hand and eagle eye.
This is exactly why you don't go "off route" up there unless you are a good technical climber with the proper gear and a climbing partner.
Allen A As in the man who slid, or the rescuer?
He may not have gone off trail intentionally. The description said he tried to catch a falling phone and slipped. How do you know he was not on the trail when he tried to catch the phone? He may have even been trying to catch it to prevent it from striking someone below. Couch quarterbacking.
@Joe Weber You're wrong. I only respond because I have firsthand knowledge. He was far higher up ON THE CABLES (i.e., did not go off route), when he lost his grip and that was the direction he slid. That man has hiked Half Dome and had gone up and down the cables on at least three separate occasions. He wasn't doing anything risky, wasn't taking chances or being irresponsible, just lost his grip. It's a beautiful, wonderful hike but obviously can be dangerous even for experienced hikers. This isn't an example of some idiot taking unnecessary risks, it's an example that this can happen to anybody. Be careful.
@@aprilmh , Dont just "be careful", be SMART and clip a tether to a harness or at least a heavy duty belt. Clipping onto the cable saves lives
So which is the full story? Did the guy try to grab a falling cell phone while he was between the cables, or was he trying to be a hero and go off trail to get the cell phone? Two completely different stories. If he was within the cables and lost his footing while trying to grab the phone, than my heart goes out to him, but If he left the safety of the cables, than thats on him. I would not want any family member of mine risking their life to save someone who has no regard for their own safety and the safety of others. The whole story needs to be told here.
He was on the cables higher up and slid down and away from the cables.
@@Neitenth So you say. I have a feeling he was being a hotdog and got himself into more than he bargained for. Where you there?
I can't think of ANYthing that is worth leaving the trail in this particular section ! No-no-no.
I know the rescuer, he was a shy and timid man when we first met at the local circle jerk, but little did we know he would go on to do great things
it is amazing to me that there was no coverage- park keeps things hush- I am on trail crew (trail crew primarily put up and take down cable route each season)-I went up to meet ranger next morning to put the poles back in. I think this guy has quick wits and balls and ability to lead... he had others throw the poles from holes(still attached to cable, in order to pull this rescue off. the guy who gets rescued fell when someone above him dropped a cell phone and he tried to catch it(while on cable route).... It gets me that a few attitudes within park toward the rescuer, painted him as a fool(that would be the 1% club)(one with this attitude was a boss 3 levels above me... this boss was a fool)
The king of fools is the man who called the hero a fool.
the rescuer did a fine job...but the guy that tried to catch the cell is a fool ...putting his life and the rescuer's life on the line just to save a phone....
Could the uploader please update the post description with the details of what happened? How'd he wind up 50ft outside of the roped off area?
Let me be the first to say, I know neither the hiker nor the hero.
I can't believe how lucky this hiker was...one for finding that crack to making stop the slide and second..having that guy with quick think the balls to pull the safe....amazing. Now..the park learning from this incredible crazy situation must have long safety ropes at the bottom label for emergency use only..put it in some kind of fire glass type box to be broken just if needed. It would make saving some one like this much easier and safer.
With a rope without a harness, you as likely to strangle someone as to help them.
I have been wondering was this video taken from Clouds Rest. Just curious hoping to hike that route next month
James Williams is for sure a hero! What an AMAZING group of people and their team work. You all get my kudos. Not sure how or why the situation started, not relevant but glad everyone was/is safe and the rangers got things put back together.
Thank GOD
Everyone is ok
James was there for a reason
GOD bless everyone
😇❤️🙏🇺🇸😇
You sound slightly insane.
Amazing rescue and video . I climbed it once . It's enough for me .
I'd be hugging the man or men that saved my life FIRST AND FOREMOST since they could have died saving ME! Sorry, family would have to wait for theirs!
He hugged him as soon as he reached him before descending
The guy is my uncle’s cousin’s brother in law’s former roommate. Glad he made it...
Been up Half Dome at least a couple dozen times during my college days. It's very steep, can be slippery and those cables are heavy.
This man is my nephews brothers 2nd cousins roommate in college. So glad it turned out okay!
I once shared a glory hole with the dude.
Can we get some big foot sightings from this photographer please?
Awesome!!! People never cease to amaze me. Heroes is right!!
Mr. Williams, well done.
Just wow! Incredible bravery.
I was the phone that day, very heroic actions
you really did upload it! thanks. i'm part of the group that went up and down at almost the same time as you guys (i was wearing the team usa basketball jersey)
This was truly amazing!
Lesson to be learned -- if someone drops something, don't risk your life trying to catch it. If you drop something -- phone, wallet -- do not leave the safety of the cables. Not unless you are wearing a climbing harness and are clipped into an anchor or being belayed.
Hey, that guy didn't give James a hug.
IKR?! I even went back and looked again thinking surely I'd missed it. WTAF?!
He hugged him as soon as he reached him before descending. At 4:33
after looking at modern closer videos in hd of this mountain, this is actually insane. how did he even end up so far to the right of the cable path? Its extrem,ely steep too. Doesnt even look like it here, but it is fcking terrifying
I’m related to that big rock.
Me too! Maybe we are cousins or something.
And why do we stay on trail?
So We don't Die a terrifying Death?
How is it that this vid has only 188,000 views ? And it's NINE years old ?
pretty epic rescue.
This man is my father, heart to get cigarettes when I was a wee lad. It all makes sense now.
The tourist about to go up the half dome: 👁👄👁
Why Arent People More Respectful Of How F__king Dangerous This Mountain Is?????
These folks must have one large family cause apparently everyone in the comment section is related.
oh my god i just started this video. does he/she survive? i cant watch!
ok so he does. the rescuer so woofed cant stand up. he needed tending to. good job!
I know that guy too we went to school together glad he’s ok
At amusement parks you often see warnings to make sure your phones etc are properly secured so they don't fall out on the rides. A similar warning at the bottom of the cables might be good.
I'd say if youre dumb enough to risk losing your grip and your life because you want a selfie you deserve what you get. A $600 phone isn't something I'd risk my life for.
Natural selection at work.
This is my Wife's Boyfriend who did the rescue. He's a really likeable guy, he bought me a Nintendo Switch for Christmas.
i am amazed that people dont use safety gear when going up and down half dome
They should. And I'm an experienced climber. A harness, a tether and a carabiner are essentials on this hike imo
@@billmahan6373 You're an idiot and even idiots can have dumb luck
That was a good improvized plan...with such men wars are won..
This video is about saving someone, not killing him.
And phones retrieved
That’s my worst nightmare…finally found it
I am a step sister of the helicopter pilot he always helps me when I get stuck too
the guy who did the saving is my friend's uncle's neighbor's cousin from another mother
Great ending, but the utter stupidity of leaving the cables to get something on the rock is mind boggling.
It’s mind boggling that you read into the description that he left the trail to retrieve something on the rocks when it only stated that he tried to catch a phone and slipped. Perhaps he was trying to prevent the phone hitting someone below, but I guess that possibility wasn’t considered since it involves empathy.
hope your next "rescue" has as much luck as this one. good thing it didn't turn into a double SAR!
I used to play chess with that hero as well as we shared a paper route together way back when
HalfDome is no Joke!
how the hell did they pull the poles out and think of this. these people are fucking smart and awesome as if theyve done a rescue like it before.
The poles are bolted into anything. They are set into holes drilled into the rock and will pull up.
Good job James Williams!!
This happens every year and it usually doesn't end this well. Glad all made it.
No it doesn't
No