Good intentions, not so good result

Some weeks ago, I was hiking in southern Utah. This particular trail was a primitive route that led up the side of a 1200-ft cliff, and was very steep, rough, and rocky.

About halfway to the top, I met a couple on the way down. I found a wide spot on the trail, stepped to the side, and greeted them. The other side of the trail at that point fell away at about 30 degrees for 20 feet or so before turning totally vertical for perhaps another 100 feet.

The woman, who was in the lead, returned my greeting with a nice smile, but her friendly intentions meant that she took her eyes off the trail for a brief second.

That was all it took. Her foot slipped off the edge of the trail, and in the blink of an eye she slid down the slope and miraculously stopped close to the edge of the 100-ft drop-off. She was basically perched on the edge, 20 ft down the slope from the trail, as her husband and I stared dumbfounded.

Needless to say, she was utterly terrified and we screamed at her not to move a muscle for fear of slipping further on the loose sand and rock, and going over the edge.

Well, I had a rope in my pack, and her husband and I somehow managed to work our way down the slope, coming from a different angle, and we grabbed her and helped pull her back to the trail. She sat there for several minutes, sobbing.

I have carried that piece of rope around with me for years, and never needed it until now. Just goes to show ... you never know what's gonna happen.

 

Good job. And good experience.

Going thru something like that makes you mentally ready if it happens again.

 

That's intense @_@

 

Great story...Good to see that you are prepared for the unexpected.

 

A great and inspiring tale which proves it pays to be prepared, always expecting the unexpected, when out in the wilds.

I must say that it tells much to everyone about you and your character when you lend a hand to complete strangers when they are in the most of need.

 

It would be pretty weird to run off in a situation like this. Especially if you carry a rope. Seems to me the final result was not too bad

 

Well, don't think I wasn't scared shitless

 

Um... yikes! Happy that the ending to the story was a happy one. That is really freaky!

 

Rope and knowledge of knots is extremely valuable.

 

You can only be brave when you are afraid.

 

Wow, that is intense. Something like that happened to me once, except I was sliding down a rock face and hit someone else, and that other person slid farther, stopping at the edge of a huge cliff.

 

Yikes!

 

good going caliente!
for helping save that womans life, i think you should be named hip forums outstanding member for 2009.

 

Thank you. I appreciate the thought, but there's nothing from hipforums that would really have any meaning, if you see my point.