Crews Rescue Hiker, 61, on El Capitan Mountain

A 61-year-old man who became stranded in heavy fog on El Capitan mountain in Lakeside was safe Tuesday following a three-and-a-half hour rescue effort, authorities said.

Deputies received notice that the hiker was stranded around 5:30 p.m. Monday, according to San Diego County sheriff's Lt. J.T. Faulkner. He was wearing only a T-shirt and shorts, and said he was cold and unable to find his way back down the mountain because of heavy fog, Faulkner said.

A sheriff's department helicopter was sent up but could not reach the man because of the fog, so a ground crew was sent in to hike to his location, Faulkner said, but the ground crew also had to give up due to fog.

A second attempt by the helicopter crew was successful and the man was rescued shortly after 9 p.m., Faulkner said.

He complained of being cold but was otherwise uninjured and required no medical attention, Faulkner said.

-City News Service