A rain-soaked hiker clinging for 6.5 hours to a small ledge near the base of a tree 135 feet down a cliff at Watmough Bay on Lopez Island owes his rescue to the skills and preparedness of first responders. In a truly collaborative feat, Orcas Island and Lopez Island Fire departments joined forces last week when two hikers found themselves in danger on Chadwick Hill at Watmough Bay on the south end of Lopez Island. It all began when the pair set out for an afternoon hike at the Watmough Bay Preserve. One of the hikers was a visitor and unfamiliar with the steep and rocky terrain. A daring off-trail excursion resulted in the two being separated along a cliffside and before long the weather turned from bad to worse. With winds and rain increasing and darkness creeping in, the conditions made it impossible for either hiker to climb to safety. Realizing the severity of the situation, the visiting hiker dialed 9-1-1.