Arizona hiker lodged in narrow canyon.
Arizona hiker lodged in narrow canyon.

Dramatic footage out of northern Arizona where two hikers got stuck in Wildcat Tank Canyon on July 19th. The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office reports the pair climbed down to a lower section of the canyon and got stuck between narrow rock walls. There was no cell service so they were unable to call to for rescue.

One of the hikers was able to dislodge herself and after several attempts to dial 911 and a failed effort to make a signal fire, the hiker briefly contacted a friend who alerted authorities. The other hiker spent 13-hours wedged in place where her legs turned purple from standing in place for an extended period of time. Rescuers eventually arrived by helicopter and extracted the hiker who suffered a broken ankle.

Arizona Hiking Tips:

Before you go, plan ahead. This goes whether you are hiking in a group, but especially if you are on your own. Preparation, self-reliance, and common sense are crucial, and it’s okay to be overly cautious when planning your hikes. Plan on taking twice as long to hike uphill as it takes to hike downhill.

  • Know what your destination will be.
  • Share your planned route with at least one person not hiking with you.
  • Don’t overestimate your capabilities.
  • Hike intelligently. Engaging in risky behavior endangers not only yourself but potentially your entire party.

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