Richard Gates, 44, of Atascadero was reunited with his family at Ragged Point on Monday afternoon, Jan. 21, after falling off a trail in the nearby wilderness during a weekend hiking trip. Though he was uninjured, Gates was unable to climb back to the trail and stayed in place until he was rescued about 12:45 p.m. Monday.

Gates left his home around 6:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19. He was reported missing when he failed to return on Sunday. His vehicle was found parked at the Ragged Point Inn. Search and rescue teams from five counties — San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Santa Barbara, Kern and Ventura — participated in the search from 6 p.m. to midnight Sunday and from 7 a.m. Monday until Gates was found.

He followed the proper procedure for survival by staying in place and waiting to be rescued, the Sheriff’s Office noted.

A rescue helicopter landed to pick him up at about 1:30 p.m. He was flown to Ragged Point.