On March 30, 2003 I made a misstep while hiking down the Grandview Trail and broke my ankle. Here is the report that appeared in the National Park Service Morning Report of April 8, 2003.

Here are some picture links:

WLD's Grand Canyon Magic Webshot photos The rescue photos are near the end, but you will want to look at the rest of his photos too, as well as Part 1 available on the "home page" link on the left side of the webshot page

Photos taken by me and Wayne

Photos taken by Karinn


Grand Canyon National Park (AZ)
Search and Short-Haul Rescue

On March 30th, a 51-year-old woman from Arizona went on a day hike down the Grandview Trail. At a point about three miles down, the took a misstep and felt her ankle give way. Other hikers ascending the trail reported her injury via cell phone. Coconino County SO dispatch received the call and relayed the information to the park communications center. A park team descended to her and found that she was resting comfortably. She was treated by ranger Brian Bloom, who determined that she had a possible closed fracture of the right ankle and stabilized it with a splint. An effort was made to help her hike out to Horseshoe Mesa, but it was stopped due to the difficulty of the terrain and concerns that the injury might be aggravated. A litter carryout was ruled out due to the steep slopes above and below the trail, the rocky and uneven terrain, and the potential for injury to rescuers. The park helicopter accordingly lifted her out by short-haul. Ranger Greg Moore was her attendant, helitack/firefighter Mark Murray served as spotter, and Greg Haufle flew the helicopter. The woman was taken to a landing spot on Horseshoe Mesa, where helitack/firefighter Jay Lusher was managing the helispot. She was then evacuated to the rim and transferred to an ambulance. Ranger KJ Glover was IC.
[Submitted by Jennifer Flynn, Backcountry Supervisor]

 

 

It really was a WHOLE lot more exciting than it sounds! It doesn't mention how extremely professional the SAR team was, nor does it say anything about the expert helicopter team. I have no doubt at all that due to these people, as well as my own friends I received the absolute best care possible and was extracted in the least possible time.

Thank you so VERY much!

Here is what I wrote about it two days after:

Cindylu's Unusual Grand Canyon Adventure


I was excited about this day hike down the Grandview. I hadn't been in the Grand Canyon since December, and this was my boyfriend Wayne's first hike below the rim. The weather was clear and promised warmth. We started down the trail about 8:30. We made steady progress, stopping here and there for a drink and a short rest, or just to take in the view. Some friends had spent the last night of their hike at Horseshoe Mesa, and were hiking out. We were to meet them on our way down. It was a trip I would have loved to join, but was unable to. We decided to hike down for the day, and meet them on their way out. We met them in various groups. We found Mary and Robert, and their granddaughter Katie about two miles down, in the Supai. We talked for a while, and then headed down to meet the last of the group.

Then the unexpected happened. Just a few minutes after we left Mary and Robert my right foot slipped off a rock. I had already started stepping up with my left, so my full weight fell on my right foot as it fell about a foot and slid along the loose rock, bending my foot outward. I knew something serious had happened right away. I didn't feel pain, but there was a shock and a numbness I'd never experienced before. I looked, and saw that my entire foot just above the ankle was displaced about an inch, and was twisted outward in an unnatural way. I sat down in the trail. Wayne ascertained that I was okay for the moment, and ran back up the trail to catch Mary and Robert. Meanwhile JJ and Carolina came up the trail and found me sitting in the trail gripping my foot. Soon Mary, Robert, Katie, Bill, and Wayne were there too.

The group immediately became an emergency response team. Bill took a GPS reading so the rescue crew would know exactly where we were. After a short discussion, it was decided where best at the top to get help, and then JJ was on his way to the rim to summon help. Then the group got to work making me comfortable in every way possible. They pulled out their sleeping pads to slip under me, and placed packs around me to support me, while I held my foot in the position which caused the least pain. Someone gave me a codeine pill. The pain was not yet unbearable, but was growing. At first the sun was welcome, because it was keeping me warm. So they put sunblock on exposed skin. Later when it was hotter they rigged a tarp to shade me. They helped other hikers find safe ways around the blocked trail. They discussed the possible actions and rescue plans, and how best we could prepare and be ready to help the rangers once they arrived. All of this action did much more for me than just ease my discomfort. They all seemed to know just what to do, and that helped me to stay calm. I could see I didn't have to worry about anything. I could concentrate on my job of keeping pain from overtaking me, and I could stay in touch with my condition so I could report it accurately.

Four hours after the accident three rangers arrived. Four hours might seem like a long time, but considering the time for JJ to reach the rim, locate the right people, and for the rescue team to gather and hike down to our location, it's clear to me that no one wasted any time. My personal emergency team turned over control to the rescuers. The rangers immediately set about assessing my condition and the rescue options. They very carefully put a Sam splint with ice packs on my ankle. My pain diminished immediately. They decided that the two options were assisting me the mile to the Mesa to the helicopter, or performing a short-haul, lifting me along with a ranger off the trail on a rope and taking us to the Mesa. It was soon apparent that walking me down was not feasible, and they began preparation to short-haul me to the Mesa.

Greg Moore was the SAR member present that was qualified in short-haul, and he put on his flight gear. Communications took place with the rim to set up the helicopter operations. During some of the wait times, Greg carefully explained to me what would be happening, and what I would need to do. We also talked a lot about hiking and rock climbing. All three rangers answered each of our questions patiently and fully. By the time I was hooked in a harness and ready to be raised I had complete confidence in them and I was not a bit scared. In fact, I very much enjoyed the trip from the trail to the Mesa, far above the canyon below. I had a full panoramic view from a vantage point few people ever get. It was definitely the "A" ride that Greg promised me. I'm not sure how long the ride was, but it seemed like only a minute or two. Soon Greg and I were being lowered onto the Mesa, and we touched the ground very gently. I sat on the ground while the helicopter was prepared for takeoff. I was helped into the helicopter, given a helmet and buckled into a seat, and given an emergency procedure briefing. Then we were on our way.

Soon I was at the helipad, where an ambulance waited. Mary and Robert were there too, to see me off. Wayne was still on his hike out, along with Carolina. They had both stayed down until the helicopter left. The ride to the Flagstaff hospital was rough. The bumpy road caused me more pain than anything had so far, but there was morphine at the ready to ease it. We changed ambulances halfway. The first one needs to stay close to the Canyon. Then I was finally at the hospital. X-rays revealed a "trimalleolar ankle fracture dislocation." I was sedated while the foot was straightened, then later surgery was performed to install a plate and some screws. The surgeon said that the bones fit back together perfectly and that I could be hiking again by June. I was released Tuesday into the capable hands of Mary and Robert. Wayne will come to take me home on Thursday. I will be out of work for two to three weeks, and on crutches for two months.

I will be missing two planned Grand Canyon hikes, one in April to Thunder River, and a New Hance trip in May. Well, those places will still be there when I am ready to do them!

I cannot say enough about how terrific the rescue and helicopter teams are. They are definitely world-class. I believe I received the best possible rescue from these terrific people. And my own friends were absolutely terrific, too. Thank you all so very much!