Grandfather Mountain -- A hiker was seriously injured Sunday, March 22, 2026, after falling from a ladder near MacRae Peak on Grandfather Mountain. The incident, which occurred around 1 p.m., triggered a massive, multi-agency technical rescue operation in the rugged high-elevation backcountry.
The hiker reportedly fell from the final ladder on the approach to the peak, landing at the base approximately 5,800 feet above sea level. Due to the severity of the injuries and the extreme terrain—noted for its steep cliffs and wooden ladder ascents—local crews had to initiate a complex "high-angle" extraction.
Technical Rescue Challenges Rescuers provided immediate medical stabilization on-site before beginning a grueling carryout. The team utilized rope systems to safely lower the patient through several vertical sections of the trail that were impassable by traditional means.
Once moved to a suitable clearing, the hiker was hoisted from the mountain by an NC HART (Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team) Blackhawk helicopter. The patient was flown to a nearby landing zone, transferred to a regional medical helicopter, and airlifted to a trauma center for specialized care.
Community Coordination Avery County Emergency Management praised the seamless coordination of the responding agencies, which included:
Linville-Central Rescue Squad & Linville Volunteer Fire Department
Avery County EMS & Avery 911 Communications
Grandfather Mountain State Park Rangers & Stewardship Foundation
NC HART (NC National Guard & NC Emergency Management)
North Carolina Mountain Rescue Team 1
Image: Linville-Central Rescue Squad