Overview

• Search teams deployed infrared-equipped aircraft on August 11 and a drone on August 12, which pinpointed Ryan Wardwell alive and conscious behind the cascade
• A California Highway Patrol helicopter hoisted the 46-year-old from a cave beneath the Seven Teacups, ending his two-day ordeal with only minor injuries and dehydration
• The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office released video of the dramatic helicopter extraction to highlight the growing role of drones and coordinated air-ground efforts in remote rescues
• Officials issued safety reminders urging outdoor enthusiasts to evaluate water flows, waterfall hydraulics and personal skill levels before tackling technical whitewater routes
• The Seven Teacups on Dry Meadow Creek is a secluded, tiered cascade near the Kern River whose seasonal high flows can create extreme hydraulics and challenging terrain