Ryan Wardwell

Ryan Wardwell, a 46-year-old man from Long Beach, California, made headlines after being rescued by police following a two-day ordeal trapped behind a waterfall at the Seven Teacups. While attempting to rappel down the waterfall on August 10, 2023, he was swept off his lines by the powerful hydraulics of the Kern River, leaving him stranded in a dark cave beneath the cascading water. His disappearance prompted a search operation that utilized infrared technology and drones, ultimately leading to his successful rescue. Miraculously, Wardwell was found alive and conscious, and while he suffered from dehydration and minor injuries, he was reunited with his family after the dramatic rescue.