Updated: Rescued Hiker Decided to Stay Put

A 19-year-old hiker was rescued from Eaton Canyon Wednesday night after he decided he was in over his head on a tough cliff climb, according to Rich Deleon of the Altadena Mountain Rescue Team.

The hiker told rescuers that he had heard the infamous climb to the upper water falls was not a big deal, but when he tried it for himself he thought differently, Deleon said.

"He decided he was over his head and had decided to turn back," Deleon said.

By then, however, it had become dark, and he had no flashlight and decided it would be to hazardous to go back down, according to Deleon.

Since his cell phone was out of power, he began yelling, and, luckily, some nearby hikers heard him calling.

They contacted the Sheriff's Department and stayed in voice contact with him while waiting for the rescuers.  They were able to help the team find him, Deleon said.

The team set up a series of ropes tied to trees and bushes to assist the hiker in climbing back down safely, he added.  The rescue was concluded shortly after 9 p.m.