Jan. 06--Under picturesque Southern California skies, Caltrans rappellers from Ventura and Los Angeles counties descended as much as 150 feet to clear loose rocks along Pacific Coast Highway.
The May 2013 Springs fire destroyed much of the greenery along the mountain, leaving slopes and hills susceptible to erosion. December storms sent mud and rocks down onto the road below.
As a result, a strip of the scenic coastal route between Las Posas and Yerba Buena roads was closed -- and is not expected to reopen until later this month.
"Take your time guys, it's not a race," said Caltrans District 7's geologist, Gustavo Ortega, advising a handful of climbers.
Strapped in harnesses and equipped with helmets and other safety equipment, about 10 workers climbed up a cliff just south of Mugu Rock to lay down their anchors.
The workers planned to dislodge boulders that could roll into cars along the currently closed-off nine-mile stretch of PCH just north of Malibu near Point Mugu State Park.
Using their hands, feet and picks, climbers are loosening unstable rocks to stabilize the hillside before the road reopens.
Caltrans has a unit of climbers, according to spokesman Patrick Chandler, along with staff biologists, archaeologists and anthropologists.
Caltrans did not have an estimate on how much rock the climbers would be clearing, or the cost.
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