When I was around 57, my daughter, son-in-law and I hiked down to Havasupai. 20 yards down the trail from the parking lot at the start of the hike, I pulled something on the front of my lower left leg. Was in good shape but poorly equipped. Hiking in tennis shoes. Made it to the camping ground (after a five hour delay due to flash flood) and hurt so bad (both the leg and the bottom of my feet) that I couldn't even put up my own tent. Hobbling to the restroom was a real pain and took forever. Stayed in camp the second day. Let the mules take my backpack out on the third day while I struggled up the trail. Was the last one out from our group of almost thirty people. That was only a month after 9/11. No planes in the sky. Neat stars at night. Was several months before I fully recovered. Wish I had a helicopter on that third day. Loved your video. Thanks for sharing.
Unfortunate this happened but that’s a cool experience at least! I’m always a bit nervous about a catastrophic injury on trail that isn’t my fault; this is a good reminder of that possibility.
If the rangers believe you cannot safely get out of the canyon under your own power, they will recommend a flight out, and only under such circumstances, the park service covers the cost of the flight under contract. But that should not be taken as license to try this hike if you are not up for it, on the assumption that the rangers will get you out if you are in over your head. The vast majority of people experiencing issues on the trail, asking for help to get out, are NOT given a ride.
When I was around 57, my daughter, son-in-law and I hiked down to Havasupai. 20 yards down the trail from the parking lot at the start of the hike, I pulled something on the front of my lower left leg. Was in good shape but poorly equipped. Hiking in tennis shoes. Made it to the camping ground (after a five hour delay due to flash flood) and hurt so bad (both the leg and the bottom of my feet) that I couldn't even put up my own tent. Hobbling to the restroom was a real pain and took forever. Stayed in camp the second day. Let the mules take my backpack out on the third day while I struggled up the trail. Was the last one out from our group of almost thirty people. That was only a month after 9/11. No planes in the sky. Neat stars at night. Was several months before I fully recovered. Wish I had a helicopter on that third day. Loved your video. Thanks for sharing.
Very cool! Hope you heal up quickly.
Unfortunate this happened but that’s a cool experience at least! I’m always a bit nervous about a catastrophic injury on trail that isn’t my fault; this is a good reminder of that possibility.
Glad you are fine. For something like this, did you have to pay anything or did insurance take care of it?
If the rangers believe you cannot safely get out of the canyon under your own power, they will recommend a flight out, and only under such circumstances, the park service covers the cost of the flight under contract. But that should not be taken as license to try this hike if you are not up for it, on the assumption that the rangers will get you out if you are in over your head. The vast majority of people experiencing issues on the trail, asking for help to get out, are NOT given a ride.