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Story and photo by Pam Wilmers
View a video by Billy Ortiz: http://youtu.be/RGCBdTSChHw
December 11, 2011 (Lakeside) -- Stranded at 3200 feet on the face of El Cajon Mountain (El Capitan) at near freezing temperatures Saturday, two young college students survived the night. Early Sunday morning their cries for help were heard down in the El Monte Valley.
At approximately 9 a.m. Sunday, San Diego Sheriff’s Search and Rescue helicopter 10 began assessing the steep, high terrain in search of the men trapped on the mountainside near the El Capitan Reservoir in San Diego's East County near Lakeside. Two hoist rescues were performed and both hikers were brought down safely.
After the landing at El Monte Park, I spoke to one of the young men rescued. He explained that the trail went dark on them and they lost their way, ending up stranded on a rocky ledge. Rather 
than risk retracing their steps in the dark with no light, they decided to stay put.
With only water and a couple snack bars to get them through the night, they stuffed grass in their clothing as insulation against the cold.
One of the young men had never been up this steep mountain, which ascends close to 3200 feet in less than two miles--a daunting task even for an experienced climber. The other had been up this mountain one other time.
Both men appeared shaken, but clearly they survived the cold night with a newfound respect for this beautiful mountain.
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