Rescue personnel worked for hours Saturday to reach a rock climber who broke his ankle high up in the rocks in Joshua Tree National Park. County Fire Captain Jay Dimoff said personnel from Joshua Tree National Park, Joshua Tree Search and Rescue, Joshua Tree Fire Station all responded to a call at 1:08 p.m. Saturday off Geology Tour Road for a climber from San Diego who slipped and fell while rock scrambling. Dimoff said the accident happened in a rock formation about three miles down the road, and then another mile and a half off the road; rescue personnel had to traverse about 300 feet of rocks to reach the climber. They were able to secure him in a litter basket and lower him to the ground, and then carry him back to the ambulance on the road. The climber was taken to Desert Hospital in Palm Springs.
