Thanks so much for all the support and comments!!! I wish I could respond to all of them but it is overwhelming. I'm at about 85% recovery at this point and getting better daily.

@annwe6

Жыл бұрын

So very glad you're ok. You've long been an inspiration. Thank you.

@AsheeBree

Жыл бұрын

Draft horses sometimes get Rabdo when they're inactive over winter and then put to work in the spring in agricultural use. Usually you also see brown to dark brown urine.

@stevenschroeder2423

Жыл бұрын

So glad you are doing better. Fast recovery.

@dannyschwertner7785

Жыл бұрын

The CrossFit crowd should send you their rhabdo tee-shirt

@ZachAttack87

Жыл бұрын

Man, what a hairy situation, but I’m glad you got out of there. We were there for the snowfall in Kanab and ended up in Zion. Everyone there said North Rim was untouchable, so it’s inspiring that you pushed that way. I look forward to see your return to finish that trail!

I used to work at the Grand Canyon South Rim. If I had a dollar for the number of times I had people tell me "I'm an experienced hiker" and refuse to listen to warnings/advice I would be pretty happy. Thanks for posting this video to show that yes... even experienced hikers can hit real trouble in the canyons. Glad you are ok.

@stoicodysseys6352

Жыл бұрын

He may be experienced but he's soft and not conditioned which is the larger issue here

@ambissing

Жыл бұрын

I hiked North Rim to Bright Ángel in October. I saw a lot of unprepared people. We trained for 6 months here in Northern Utah to attempt this. Checked the trail sites, monitored the water situation and knew that if things didn’t look good, we’d stop. We regularly run 50ks and I still thought the hike out was hard. I can’t imagine in that weather and in those trail conditions. This trip should have been South Rim to Bright Angel and stop. R2R2R is not a good idea even in the best of times

@sassysuzy4u

Жыл бұрын

@@stoicodysseys6352 conditioning is important but even then there are some real unexpected things that happen in the canyons.

@sassysuzy4u

Жыл бұрын

@@ambissing I’m glad you got to go and knew your limits. I hope you enjoyed it and can look back with fondness!

@christopherhaak9824

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely correct. I did a one day R2R when I was 53 yo during May. It takes extensive training to do this hike, both cardio, but especially eccentric quad work, that most people don't do. Very glad Dan made it out Ok, but piss poor training and planning is the issue here.

I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say we are glad you're okay

@sasquatchrosefarts

Жыл бұрын

He deserves a Darwin award for packing snowshoes super heavy to the rear. Doesn't know how to pack a pack. We are in a zombie apocalypse and the "leaders " of digital media are retards.

@JamesSeale2575

Жыл бұрын

Yes glad your okay Dan

@PeaceMastah

Жыл бұрын

No. jk

@BrentWolsey

Жыл бұрын

I’m so glad you’re OK. I enjoyed hearing about your experience at the hospital in Kanab. I’ve had to rush someone to a similar hospital in Utah and had the same experience a few years ago. There are some truly wonderful people at the small hospitals across southern Utah (and I’m sure elsewhere in the world too). Wishing you a speedy recovery Dan.

@JohnnyTaxonomy

Жыл бұрын

Indeed, you do! ❤

Definitely glad that it all worked out and you were able to get the help you needed. With that being said, and for those reading this thinking of hiking the Grand Canyon, what Dan attempted was simply foolish. I hiked the Grand Canyon last week and man, there were so many poor decisions throughout Dan's hike. First, R2R2R is not even technically possible at the moment (even in May when I'm typing this). The North rim is closed due to snow and extreme conditions and will not open until June. The hike from Cottonwood to the North rim is only 7 miles and should be extremely do-able in the right conditions but even now, it is nearly impossible. I'm sure when they called for a rescue and mentioned they were at the North rim trailhead the lady on the phone was thinking "umm, you're where???" Note when Dan said "we were breaking trail." Yeah, that is because you were on a closed trail. Second, attempting R2R2R without training is crazy to me. That's a 48 mile hike in extreme conditions so some training is required. Even a R2R hike requires training. For this video, a rim to river (south rim to phantom ranch, stay the night, then hike back up the following day) would have been enough. Finally, the timing of everything seemed off. Those hiking R2R or R2R2R usually will leave the South rim around 4am to ensure the best conditions . Keep in mind, it can be up to 20 degrees warmer at the bottom of the canyon and the sun is just brutal. The 7 mile hike from Phantom Ranch to Cottonwood is through what they call the box. To put it simply, it gets very hot in there. During mid-day there is no shade and no breeze. If they would have left the South rim at 4 am they would have hit the box at approximately 8 am before it got too hot. Then, they would have rolled into Cottonwood by about 1 pm giving them time to rest and relax before hitting the North rim the following morning. Again, I'm happy is all worked out but man, y'all were asking for trouble here. Would love to see you do this again but with better planning. It's an amazing place that deserves respect.

@gabrielleandrew542

6 ай бұрын

This exactly was my thought . The hike was ridiculously ambitious . This man was actually lucky he didn’t die . Others have . Had he run his itinerary past the rangers surely they would have advised him against this

@gdurkee

5 ай бұрын

Dunno. Looking back, sure, they had too ambitious a trip planned but so do a zillion people in the outdoors. Rhabdo is incredibly rare and, usually, heat related. In 45 years as an NPS backcountry summer & winter ranger, I've only seen 3 cases -- 1 fatal, 1 evac at night by litter then 2 weeks in hospital, one flown and 10 days in hospital -- with tens of thousands of visitors through my area in those years. Almost no one has heard of it so I guess my point is @DanBecker sounds like he was in solid shape but just had really, really bad luck. It happens. Glad NPS ranger was on the North Rim (the absolute best job in the NPS!) and got him out right away. They were really lucky they got to the rim for a semi-easy evac. So, foolish? No not in any way I've seen on thousand + SARs and medicals I've been on.

@merc_w0838

5 ай бұрын

@@gdurkee That is a fair response however I think the point I was trying to make was not necessarily in relation to Rhabdo but that it was a dangerous and foolish hike, regardless of the outcome. My comment would have been the same, even if Dan made it out unscathed. My biggest gripe was that they hiked closed trails. Like I said in my original comment, the north trails remained closed when I hiked there two months after Dan. R2R is a hike of a lifetime so why not do it right?

@nic12344

3 ай бұрын

What you call "extreme conditions" are normal conditions for me here in Canada...

@merc_w0838

3 ай бұрын

@@nic12344 Respectfully, what you said is simply incorrect.

When I saw Dan going up the North Rim the next day without a day to recuperate, I knew it was over. Never rush a difficult hike, especially in dangerous condition. Always rest and allow your body to rest/recover between hikes.

First, I am so glad that you are going to make a full recovery and that you were with people who were able to help you. Second, I would like to share some information about rhabdomyolysis in the hopes of preventing something similar happening to someone else. I am a physical therapist and have a masters degree in exercise physiology so I have spent a lot of time studying how this can occur and can give some pointers to help keep people safe in the future. As a general rule, eccentric (lengthening) muscle contractions cause significantly more damage to a muscle than concentric (shortening) contractions. In the context of hiking, climbing hills is largely concentric (quads, hamstrings, glutes are all shortening) and descending (quadriceps are lengthening) is largely eccentric. You may have noticed that I listed more muscles for climbing than descending and this is on purpose. More muscles are involved in both scenarios but the ratios are extremely different. Descending puts a large load on the quads and doesn’t spread the effort out to as many muscle groups. The result of this is more rapid deterioration of the quads due to isolating the effort into one muscle group that is working in a way that produces the most damage. With a mile of descent on day one of this trip, the degree of damage to the muscle was obviously significant and as Dan continued it pushed him over the edge. I say all of this to make people aware of the significance of long descents. As hikers we typically think about the climbs as what makes a hike difficult. Climbing is a challenge for the muscles, heart and lungs. Descending is hard on the connective tissue that holds the muscle together and without it serious complications like this can happen. I hope this bit of background information helps someone and the awareness prevents similar situations from happening to other people.

@TLDorius

Жыл бұрын

As another physical therapist, I can say this is great advice and very well put.

@CarbonFiberEnthusiast

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing this information I am going on a backpacking trip soon with a large group and it is good to know just in case.

@ronsuggs175

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for such a great explanation. As a long time avid hiker, I have experienced what you are talking about but didn’t know the physiology behind it. Makes perfect sense.

@christopherhaak9824

Жыл бұрын

Amen to this comment. Eccentric muscle work like descending is somewhat unusual, but so critical to specifically train for this if you will do this hike. It is difficult to train for without specific exercises and then the reps will need to be high. Very few people understand this.

@gedfi

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the very valuable information. Next time I have a hard time descending because of muscle pain, I am sure I will take it more seriously than before.

Hi. Glad you made it out. I was a Grand Canyon backpacking guide from 1997-2003. I would like to mention a couple of things. I always tried to not put two strenuous backpacking days back-to-back. I tried to make the second day of a strenuous backpack be a rest day. If not an option, I would try to make both days short days, getting in camp well before dark. Waking up that second morning knowing that It will be easier than the first day is a sweet feeling. Don't get me wrong, I've gotten into camp many times after 18 hour days, just not on the first or second days. Another thing to consider is the elevation factor...i.e. the 10/1 rule....every foot of elevation change is the equivalent to 10 feet of flat walking. So the 7 miles from cottonwood to north rim was really the equivalent to 15 miles, if factoring in the elevation. Throw in the snow and heavy packs and it becomes the equivalent of a 20+ mile backpack. Trudging up a steep trail in snow requires the same exertion as jogging. BTW, anyone can test the the 10/1 rule at home. Time yourself as you walk or run 1000 feet (1.5 city blocks) at a reasonable heart rate. Then climb a 100 foot tall stairway (10 story building) maintaining the same heart rate. You will find that both do the same amount of work, and hence the same amount of effort. They also both take the same amount of time, as long as you keep the same heart rate.

Glad you're recovering! Rabdo' is nothing to joke around about. As an EMS provider having worked several marathons, I've seen athletes who've been training for months go into Rabdo. They've also gone into exercised induced hyperthermia which is very scary as well, which can also send you into Rabdo. I'm SO glad you got the treatment and care you did. That ranger and what he was able to do for you prior to the ambulance is KEY! Looking forward to the next hike!!! Be well!!!

We always push and challenge ourselves but sometimes the biggest challenge is to know when we need to safely stop. Thank for being transparent, vulnerable, and open. I’m glad you’re recovering now.

@MikeycatOutdoors

Жыл бұрын

Dang right. I had a medical scare over the holidays from windchill & exposure to the cold. Definitely gotta know your limits.

@michaelwtapp

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, this is one way to find your boudaries.

@Smashycrashy

Жыл бұрын

Except the place to stop safely was way before the North Rim. This is just sunk cost and going too far then giving up because he had to and the first responders had to clean up the mess. He was clearly out of his depth and didn’t want to lose face.

@billw1958

9 ай бұрын

@@Smashycrashy the ranges indicated it was "aggressive"

@silvermediastudio

3 күн бұрын

He's a muppet who put everybody at risk. He shouldn't be thanked, he should be shamed.

I respect you for leaving in part about the rangers warning you. Most people would have been too embarrassed or proud to admit they were warned, let alone, show it. I think it speaks for your character. I hope you have a speedy recovery and this experience helps you grow into a stronger hiker. Your content is a big part of what got me into hiking and I can't wait to see what adventures you have coming up in the future. Until the next one, be safe.

@stevesampier527

Жыл бұрын

As a park ranger with over 20 years experience, we can only warn and hope for the best. Dan and his group were clearly not inexperienced and had attempted to prepare. Clearly the honesty in this video is top notch and should serve as an eye opener.

Thank you for making this video, I'm 62 years old and hike sporadically, but when I do I tend to push myself. You probably saved my future-self from myself, So thank you!!

I'm mostly impressed by the fact that you're willing yo let other people learn from your experience. I bet that will save a life or two. I hike in arctic environments during winter, and it's difficult to convey just how different it is to the uninitiated. I personally to treat every trip like an expedition, 5 months in advance. I think your video was able to communicate that winter is not just about cold. Thank you for being you.

SO GLAD YOU POSTED THIS! People just get in over their heads and don't realize how easily the mountain can kill you. Any real backcountry trip is constant work from the time you leave the truck. In winter it's even worse. Just sleeping in freezing conditions burns WAY more calories and hydration than you might think. You gotta take it slow and easy. You gotta pound tons of high calorie food and drink Gatorade till your eyeballs float. Nothing is worse than hitting rock bottom in the middle of nowhere. Glad you made it out!

@tribalismblindsthembutnoty124

Жыл бұрын

Yes! I hear 'embrace the pain' all the time. I think its way more important to know when to call it done b4 someone gets hurt.

@stoicodysseys6352

Жыл бұрын

You also have to condition and not go from couch to trail or in Dan's case camper to trail.

@themikeroberts

8 ай бұрын

Letting your thirst dictate how much you drink is better than forcing yourself to drink. Low sodium levels, which is made worse by drinking beyond your thirst, is a common problem and even Gatorade or other electrolyte drinks can't prevent over hydration as they're a lower concentration of sodium than your blood.

@silvermediastudio

2 ай бұрын

Bunch of donuts. Folks like this need to stay off the trails and stick to the local park nature walk.

@silvermediastudio

3 күн бұрын

He didn't make it out. He got rescued by real men.

Thank God for all the people who were there to help you. Mad respect for all the human beings that made sure Dan got help. "A man who has friends must be a friend, but there is a friend who stays nearer than a brother."

@lc6936

Жыл бұрын

@@lifesahobby hind sight is always 20/20. They knew the itinerary and they all attempted it. It’s not the other guys fault. It’s just a situation that we can all learn from. I’m sure they won’t push themselves to the limit again.

@lifesahobby

Жыл бұрын

@@lc6936 you're right , I just felt some old feelings coming back . .

I really appreciated your vulnerability in posting this video. It's very humbling to admit we need help...it takes courage to allow others to cover for us. Blessings for all your future journeys

@parva777

Жыл бұрын

Yess this is very touching and emotional. I almost cried ! Helas probably one of his best, or more important video. Such a lesson for me.

@Jarrych83

Жыл бұрын

And the importance of helping people learn and not being an influencer that makes everything look glitz and glam.

Glad you are ok Dan! As a hiker myself, Ultra to 24hrs OCR runner, Rhabdo is a series issue if you are doing extreme events and keep on pushing without taking proper breaks and fueling your body. There is a lot that goes into this as well. How much water you take, if you are replacing salt intake and eating food. Winter is a bit harder because you don't feel like you are burning a lot. If you are not peeing enough you are not drinking enough, if you are peeing too much you don't have enough salt. Eating every 45 minutes to make sure your body is fueled before it even gets to half a tank. It's a complete science behind it. And! Especially for Emmett and everyone else, avoid Ibuprofen! It will destroy your kidneys more. Tylenol is the safest pain killer to use if need be.

@mtadams2009

Жыл бұрын

I was backcountry skiing some years ago and while we were camped, I met an MD who was a kidney specialist. I ask him what causes kidney issues, and his first response was Ibuprofen. So yes, be careful with the vitamin I. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. Some I knew and some I did not. Again, thanks for sharing.

@titaniumballs8757

Жыл бұрын

Just wanted to add on here, I think in general just minimizing the usage of any drug used for pain relief is probably best. Long term use of acetaminophen (Tylenol) can lead to kidney damage as well. If you're hurting to where you need a painkiller, probably a good time to take a break!

@nancygs4555

7 ай бұрын

Tylenol kills your liver. Ask your doctor.

@karlk9316

7 ай бұрын

Yes, water and electrolytes several days before and during such an arduous and lengthy athletic event are crucial. Water helps the kidneys clear the bloodstream.

@aranha9365

4 ай бұрын

Well said. Rhabdo is broken muscle tissue into the blood stream that can cause permanent damage to your organs or kill you if your filtration system coudn't handle it. So hydration is key, and if you are taking any drugs/supplements/medication, it can be lethal as your kidneys/liver would be already under a huge work load.

This one brought me to tears, as a backpacker and also a nurse. I am so so,glad you got out safely Dan.

@danielevans3932

Жыл бұрын

Been in his situation and also on the otherside helping. One decision can kill you. Its that thin of a line.

Dan, thank you for sharing 22:02 so more people can appreciate the risks. My first time doing the canyon I was doing South Kaibab down and Bright Angel up. At 65 years of age I hd to stop 4.5 miles from the top and spend the night as I just did not have the capacity to continue. I was embarrassed but the Rangers were so compassionate and assured me it was common than one might realize. I believe we become better hikers through such experiences. It really does define “hike your own hike”. Come so the canyon again. Take two nights in the canyon. Enjoy its splendor. Do a group thing and invite some of us to enjoy it together. Heal well!

I was an inner canyon park ranger at the Grand Canyon from 2016-2020, and I saw my fair share of rhabdomyolysis in visitors to Phantom. I put no small number of them on the park helicopter to be flown out. During my time observing and helping visitors in the canyon, I found it to be a somewhat unexpected dichotomy. For those who plan well and respect the challenge it poses, it's really no big deal. But for those who overestimate their own abilities and/or underestimate the challenge, i.e. plan poorly, it can really do them harm, sometimes to the point of bringing an end to their lives. I'm glad you made it out okay and are on the road to recovery. I definitely recommend that you take another trip there, now that you're armed with the wisdom gained from your experience. I predict a much more enjoyable experience next time, one which will allow you to really take in the beautiful and sublime.

@luciaconn6788

6 ай бұрын

potassium deficiency?

@justinpolley2490

5 ай бұрын

I'm going to phantom January 2025 staying 2 nights. Any wisdom you can share. I have enough actual experience to know that I don't know. Break it down to me like I'm 8 years old. Direct, start time, gear, ECT ...

@noahhabbershaw8177

4 ай бұрын

​@@justinpolley2490I've never been but another commenter said to leave at 4am because you enter this thing called the box which I think is a hot zone. It's a 4 hour hike so if you leave at 4 you should hit it around 8 when its not to hot. The most dangerous thing they did in this video though was hiking on closed trails. I have no clue about the grand canyon but I do know that's not safe. Someone said the north ridge is closed though may.

@justinpolley2490

4 ай бұрын

@@noahhabbershaw8177 appreciate it. But , I'm going in January so the average low is 30 and the high is 50. So, I think my time and direction are opposite. I'm trying to stay with the sun, not avoiding it.

@noahhabbershaw8177

4 ай бұрын

@@justinpolley2490 from another comment "First, R2R2R is not even technically possible at the moment (even in May when I'm typing this). The North rim is closed due to snow and extreme conditions and will not open until June. The hike from Cottonwood to the North rim is only 7 miles and should be extremely do-able in the right conditions but even now, it is nearly impossible. I'm sure when they called for a rescue and mentioned they were at the North rim trailhead the lady on the phone was Uber thinking "umm, you're where???" Note when Dan sa "we were breaking trail." Yeah, that is because you were on a closed trail. Second, attempting R2R2R without training is crazy to That's a 40+ mile hike, some training is required. Even a R2R hike requires training. For this video, a rim to river (south rim to phantom ranch, stay the night, then hike back up the following day) would have been enough. Finally, the timing of everything seemed off. Those hiking R2R or R2R2R usually will leave the South rim around 4am to ensure the best conditions. Keep in mind, it can be up to 20 degrees warmer at the very bottom of the canyon and the sun is just brutal. They mile hike from Phantom Ranch to Cottonwood is through what they call the box. To put it simply, it gets very hot in there. During mid-day there is no shade and no breeze. If they would have left the South rim at 4 am they would have hit the box at approximately 8 am before it got too hot. Then, they would have rolled into Cottonwood by about 1 ph giving them time to rest and relax before hitting the North rim"

Crazy how many things can do wrong on the trail. A lot of people really do view it simply as hiking in their local park without realizing how hard it would be to get yourself out. My wife and I both woke up sick out in the Wasatch mountains and it was so hard getting up packing and getting out of the wilderness.

I was evacuated from the Grand Canyon by helicopter for Rhabdomyolysis and heat stroke (we went in May), so I literally feel your pain! I ended up in the Flagstaff ER for 24 hours, and don't think my muscles ever fully recovered. The Grand Canyon is a beast for sure, it will chew you up and spit you out! Glad you're ok and hopefully this is a lesson to anyone watching.

@stoicodysseys6352

Жыл бұрын

A lot of it comes down to fitness and making healthy lifestyle choices

@696969bold

Жыл бұрын

How much was THAT bill?? 😳🫣

@chiznowtch

Жыл бұрын

What were your circumstances? Were you in, or out of shape? Did you really over exert or did this sneak up on you?

@stoicodysseys6352

Жыл бұрын

@@chiznowtch From what I observe he is under conditioned for a trek like that. He is going to work on that though.

This is 100% a video EVERY hiker needs to watch! I'm so glad you're OK. I hope you can do some recovery type videos to help educate us even more.

@notquiteultralight1701

Жыл бұрын

Couldn’t agree more! This needs to be something every hiker at Pinkham Notch needs to watch before they set off. The whites saw 3 fatalities this winter alone. Healthy, in shape people just ill prepared.

I find your humbleness amazing; you tell your story truthfully, highs and lows. I am an overweight 75 year old woman who has never enjoyed exercise, but you make me want to take your backpacking course and head for the hills! Okay, my recent knee replacement won't allow that, but I'm heading out now to the waterfront trail in my community! (Brockville, ON)😊

I had an emergency open heart surgery after an outpatient procedure went wrong. It's been about 9 months and I've come a long way to recover. I've been watching because I'm planning on doing a section hike on the AT this year and although I've done a lot of hiking and camping in my years, I've never actually gone properly backpacking. This serves as a great reminder to be realistic about how hard I push myself and what precautions I should take ahead of time. I hope your recovery goes well, but don't get discouraged if there are some ups and downs!

I wouldn't of guessed overexertion would of been the culprit. You've given us a priceless piece of info to remember when we're out there! Thanks Dan for being so candid, I'm a better backpacker because of what you do!

@totenfurwotan4478

7 ай бұрын

I’ve been a backpacking for years and never even knew you body could fail like that

@silvermediastudio

2 ай бұрын

@@totenfurwotan4478 goes to show how poorly prepared he was. all that gucci gear, a "trainer," and social media followers doesn't mean your body is ready. dude showed us he's a donut.

1. So happy you're ok and should make a full recovery!! 2. Huge props to Eric/Emmett/Jason for getting you help! 3. I can't wait for the next video, but of course, health first. 4. The editing on this video is amazing! Amazing work as always Emmett!

I hope your experience attempting Rim to Rim (to Rim) is a lesson and warning to others thinking about this adventure. As a 2-time Rim to Rim (North to South) runner, I can attest to the wear and tear on the body, pounding of the legs and the unrelenting heat (September) up to the South Rim. It is extreme and very dangerous and can be life threatening! During my first run, I partnered with a multiple Chicago Marathoner. Leaving the North Rim at 6 am, we reached Phantom Ranch at 08:30, took a short break, crossed Silver Bridge and headed up towards Indian Garden. The temperature passed the Colorado surged to 100F with no relief from the sun. My running partner quickly became heat exhausted and began signs of incoherence…luckily I was able to get him into Indian Garden where Rangers assisted with medical attention…At the same time, the weather changed, a huge thunderstorm arrived, lightning everywhere and temperatures dropped…all his muscles started cramping. Along with another runner, we got him up to the rim several hours later where an ambulance immediately administered multiple bags of saline….and took him to the hospital…he could have died….you have to prepare yourself for anything in the canyon…life or death is not an understatement…

I fly gliders on the weekends sometimes and am now getting into hiking. When I was learning about stalls and common or even less common mistakes that could be made I really appreciated it when other pilots posted about situations they had misjudged or not planned for. It takes a lot of humility to post about it but is really helpful for others and maybe even yourself if you reflect upon past mistakes. Thank you for posting. Just really goes to show that we are all human after all.

Glad you’re okay, Dan! Eric is the type of friend everyone needs in their life. Calm voice of reason in stressful moments. We all like to think we would react the way he did in a situation like this but he handled things perfectly.

Glad you're okay Dan and I can't wait to see you back on trail!

This happened to a friends of mine’s son who was training for a marathon. He was in the hospital 10 days getting his kidneys to start functioning normal and many more for recovery at home. He is great now. So grateful you are on the mend, sharing your story and prayers you continue to improve quickly.

Glad you are okay and had a great team with you. I am a native AZ person and my grandma worked at the canyon for 3 decades (she’s actually buried there now in the cemetery) but she had to make so many SAR calls and you are very lucky. Not everyone makes it out of there alive and it just shows that even with prep stuff goes wrong.

@dagmaranja888

6 ай бұрын

1000 thanks to the emergency service team! Just so awesome that that man came and picked Dan up! Greetings from 🇩🇪

@Robot-Rising

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for what you did , had to be a cool job but frustrating. We hiked bright angel out and back in May in a day and had a few rangers tell us it was a bad idea. One asked if we were experienced hikers, I said yes and she asked what we had done, I told her we had just done Kilimanjaro and her response was "how long ago" as in "that's not good enough unless it was last week" 😂 I knew it was going to be a struggle but her reaction and insisting it was a bad idea definitely had me questioning our decision. After we finished I definitely understood why she was trying to pressure us out of it. We were fine other than being kind of tight on water at the bottom coming back out from the river and I had been carrying 4 liters mind you (definitely stop to refill water on the way down if you try this) A canyon is a reverse mountain, which is very "duh" but I think people get lured into a false sense of security because the hike down is so much easier. That and it gets epic hot at the bottom. We passed a lot of people coming out of the canyon that had no business being down that far and no way they would make it out before dark. I'm glad we did it and had hiked so much in the months/years leading up to it. Even with all of the experience we had, it was still one of my top 5 hardest hikes.

Glad you’re okay! The nurse in me called your rhabdo before you said it! It’s rare but not that rare, enough to where most hikers and athletes should be aware of it, the only real way to prevent it is not to over exert yourself, and stay super hydrated! Both things are hard to do while doing longer distance hikes however. Also glad you called for help when you did! Rhabdo is not something to take lightly.

@ambissing

Жыл бұрын

I’ve also been told as an Ultra runner, not to take Advil/ibuprofen when in high exertion because it can increase the chance of Rhabdomyolysis

@jphanks

Жыл бұрын

Not just athletes and hikers, but anyone with a metabolic disorder - pcos, Diabetes, etc. Medications like metformin and others increase rhabodo risk.

@becky457

Жыл бұрын

What about taking Tylenol ?

Thank goodness for the ranger, the snow plough person and the staff at the medical center, without that help things could have been so much different. I'm so glad you are on the mend now and wanting to get out there again. There's always something to be learned about yourself in every situation.

I've hiked to the bottom and back. We sauntered. It's important to enjoy the views. We went the first week in March and it was to celebrate turning 50. We took our time going down the same route--South Kaibab. Spent the night at the Phantom Ranch camp in our tents in the rain, then hiked halfway up the Bright Angel Trail, spent a night at Indian Gardens, and then hiked back to the South Rim. It was at sauntering speed, stopping frequently to enjoy the view. We were very sore from the walk down, as are most people. The trick is to not hurry. It looks like you had hard goals set and it was too much. Next time, take your time and enjoy the scenery. Oh, we had green snow to contend with on the hike out. Mules.

@mrbunsrocks

Жыл бұрын

I have this hike on my bucket list - definitely at a more sauntering pace for sure. This video was definitely a good watch though. Important reminder for sure.

@chemistryflavored

Жыл бұрын

That’s the right way to do it and what all the rangers say to do. It’s better to play it slow and have spare time than have to push yourself to the next campsite since it’s all pre reserved. My grandma worked for the ranger station for 30 years and was constantly talking hikers out of rushed itineraries!

So thankful to see that you're making a recovery! I can't imagine how scary that must have been in the moment. Thank you so much for sharing your story.

I cannot express how grateful I am that you survived both the potential fall and the Rhabdomyolysis but this should be a learning experience of when to listen to the rangers and not push through these incredibly dangerous situations. I don’t think good decisions were made but you are alive and I hope this video helps others understand how dangerous this time of year is maybe not the best time to do this. It was so scary to watch.

Glad you are okay, Dan. I am so grateful for your willingness to share this story.

First, as have said the others, I'm really glad that you were able to get help and are on the way to recovery. Wonderful news there. So, mountain SAR guy and wilderness EMT here. Rhabdo is no joke and not actually as rare in these settings as some would lead you to believe. Oxygen deficit at altitude, high exertion over a sustained period, and dehydration are the key triggers as you discovered. I'm sorry if I didn't catch this in the video but one of the hallmarks of rhabdo is dark tea-colored urine, which is indicative of the spilling of the breakdown products. Not sure if you saw those symptoms or not. I guess the only takeaways I would offer in addition to the comments you offered in the video are: 1) Pushing through non-transient chest pain in a remote setting is super-dangerous, especially if you're ascending as you're pushing. If you have persistent chest pain, stop and rest, and immediately consider calling for evacuation. 2) It seems there was hesitation to call SAR resources when things started getting dicey. I think I can speak for all of us in the SAR community that we'd MUCH rather get a call to help you get out safely while you're in a compromised but not critical state as opposed to you pushing yourself into critical and risking your life hoping it makes things easier for us. We'd much rather take your gear and help you with hydration, nutrition, and warmth as you slowly walk yourself out over several hours than see you for the first time when you're unconscious and circling the drain at the top. If we can get you safe and stable to the top, evac options are much more wide open than if you're unconscious, and the range of people who have the skills to care for you in that context is much narrower. 3) For as much backcountry activity as you do, I would take a formal Wilderness First Aid or (even better) Wilderness First Responder course from an outfit such as NOLS (disclosure: I'm a NOLS WEMT). There's a significant section in those courses on both rhabdo and altitude sickness (HACE and HAPE) and I think it would have been helpful to you and the group in this case. 4) Really good call with the Garmin InReach Mini. For you and for others watching, consider what you would have done without cell signal at the trailhead. The Garmin service is excellent, but consider also other options such as ham radio for the backcountry. For example, there's a open ham radio repeater in Jacob Lake, and three more in Kanab. The first one would certainly have been reachable and likely the other three as well. Again, really really glad you're feeling better and glad it turned out OK. Just food for thought above for those who might benefit from your experience.

This is my first time getting to know you and your channel and YOUR story is crazy! You are lucky to be alive, I recently started hiking and doing trails and I will definitely take this lesson learned from you to put aside any pride and know when to stop take breaks or head back if needed, you seem like such a genuine person ! Stay safe!

This just goes to show how important it is to travel with people that know what they are doing. The mountain is more dangerous than we think, and being prepared is essential. So glad you're okay, and speedy recovery for you!

@lifesahobby

Жыл бұрын

Or not to climb with people who think they know what they are doing .

Thanks for sharing that story. I can say I push my self to similar extremes. Good info about the Rabdo. I intend to share with my EMS crews, since we often see spent hikers along the Colorado Trail segments 1-3 in our jurisdiction. Good info for me too as an avid outdoor goer. Sometimes I push myself a little too hard and this was a good lesson. Glad your faired well and wish you a full recovery !

Oh Dan, it was so important that you asked for help and to have handed off your pack. I am so very glad that you are on the road to what I am sure will be a full recovery. Sincere thanks to your friends, the ranger and all of the medical staff who helped in your recovery. Very best wishes to you and your family. Happy trails!

Glad you're safe and doing better! I have extreme respect for all of the first responders and medical staff, especially in those conditions.

Great job Eric, Jake, and Emmett. Thanks for keeping Dan alive. Dan, I’m glad to see you’re still with us all.

Wow, what a scary and sobering moment. My respect to you for sharing this very vulnerable moment. It’s so important to show not only the good, but also the bad. It definitely shows your strength of character. Glad you are doing well.

Happy to hear your doing ok Dan. What a blessing to have so many people to help you through this time. Your fortunate to have had the the assistance from your friends to get you to a safe place. Keep up the great videos after you heal up and get back to 100%!

From everyone in the hiking, backpacking, camping and outdoors community - we love you Dan, and we are so glad you are safe! Take care of yourself, take the time you need, and we'll see you back on the trail, brother!

So glad you are safe. Thanks for showing us that no matter how fit or prepared we are, we are always vulnerable ❤

Stay with the recovery, don’t go back out to soon, your family would miss you more than you would every know. You need to be at 110 % after rehab. You had an amazing team with you, you are truly blessed.

@silvermediastudio

2 ай бұрын

Once someone has rhabdo they are more susceptible to it in the future, just like hyper/hypothermia.. Given he didn't put in the work to prep for this little 14 mile trip with about 8,000ft elevation, he should probably just stick to his local park nature walk. Safer for him and those around him.

Thanks for sharing this story. I’ve had rhabdo myself, and it’s extremely humbling. Thank you for showing how important it is to plan, listen to your body, and listen to advise! Glad you’re recovering well.

Regional hospitals are an unsung hero of this world!

Glad you knew you were in trouble and asked for help. Hats off to your buddies for watching out, the ranger and the snow plow driver, and the medical folks who took care of you.

Thank you for sharing, Dan, and I wish you a complete recovery. Thanks for sharing this experience, because it show's that well seasened hikers, with the right gear and the right mindset, can also get in this situation that they need to get rescued. And you had an awesome team around you, that got you through this. Take care!

Wow! Scary! Glad you are safe and sharing the lessons learned. Always invaluable to learn from others so we can prepare ourselves. Thank you for sharing such a vulnerable time. Congrats and Thanks to all those who helped you during the rescue and recovery.

Really sorry to hear this and wish I’d known sooner. But I’m REALLY glad you were able to get out, get care, and begin getting better. I hope a LOT of hikers and backpackers think carefully about your experience and 1) do more to be in sufficient physical shape for their planned outdoor adventures, 2) thoroughly research their intended outings, and 3) realize that powering through is not always wise or even possible. This might be the most important video you’ve ever posted to help folks hike and backpack safely. Thanks.

@terarara189

Жыл бұрын

@@Dan_Becker- shut up scammer

Really shows how incidents can come out of nowhere, even to the most experienced backpackers. It’s a great example of how being prepared and having support can save your life. Thanks Dan, hoping for a full and speedy recovery!

@dajo2824

Жыл бұрын

Great point. No matter how good you are, nature can test you.

@stoicodysseys6352

Жыл бұрын

I don't think this was a matter of inexperience, but more of poor conditioning

Big plus for sharing this, and rare to have such a detailed documentary of something like this. A successful recovery from a bad situation makes this an exceptional example for others to learn from. From my own experience on a winter trek to the North Rim and thru the canyon from Jacob Lake, I think the trouble came from the combinatoin of 'aggresive itinerary' and the unusually heavy snow this year. The group has good preparation and experience and likely would have been successful without the added time on foot with very challenging conditions on the ascent to the North Rim.

Wow, that was intense! So glad that you had great people around you who did the right things at the right time. Positive thoughts and prayers for a full recovery, Dan.

Thank you for sharing this story. I think it’s so important for hikers of any skill level to know these things can happen to anyone. And of course we care about you! You’ve shared so much over the years, you’re part of our community! Love to you and yours, here’s hoping for a speedy recovery.

You have my total respect for what you went through. Having looked after patients with rhabdomyolysis, I can tell you it is no joke. You are extremely lucky to be as well recovered as you are now. Most of the people I looked after had long stays in the ICU. I know you are anxious to get going again. Please listen to your physicians and don’t push it too far. Egypt will still be there when you are ready. ❤❤

Just came across this video and WOW. So glad your are doing better and recovering. I just turned 49 and just now getting into hiking and camping and your videos are one of go to guides. You're awesome thank you for all you do for us new hikers.

Prayers for your recovery man! I'm sure it was a difficult video to make but it was a very powerful reminder that this can happen to the best of us, I hope you're able to see how much of a KZread family you've got!

Wow, what an amazing and terrifying story. I’m so glad you’re recovering well, and wish you a speedy return to full health. Thank you for sharing this with us all. It’s so much easier now to hear about these amazing trips with epic views, but you don’t as often hear about the times that same trip goes right off the rails into life threatening, dangerous territory. Take a little solace in that by sharing this video, you may have saved another hiker from experiencing what you did, potentially saving their life. This experience is a scary reminder for everyone to pace themselves appropriately and to listen to their body and not be afraid to call for help before it’s too late to do so. Backpacking is one of the most amazing experiences you can have in life, but it’s fraught with risks we had all best prepare for, because this could happen to anyone one of us watching on any trail. Everyone who was hiking with you, the EMS, dispatchers, Rangers, and medical staff all deserve a lot of praise for acting appropriately, quickly and with great care in getting you out safely and back on the road to full health again. Heroes all. Again, Thank you for sharing this story Dan. I’m sorry you had to go through that, and I’m glad to see you’re recovering and excited to get back out there. Safe trails out there.

Dang, what a freaking intense experience, thank you for being vulnerable in sharing it with us. I also appreciate you showing the dangers of hiking, especially with a big undertaking like winter Grand Canyon. Great that you had friends with you to take care of you. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Very touching video, thanks for telling us what happened, we all love to learn from our failures but most people aren’t brave enough to talk about them. I hope that you fully recover soon and you will be able to finish this quest.

Thanks for sharing Dan. We all need to be aware of the dangers of hiking, not just the good times

My eyes welled up during your hospital footage. I’ve had a few very bad incidents where I have experienced just how important the Doctors, Nurses and staff are and how well they took care of me. I’m sure that you discovered the same. Be well, Dan.

Glad you're ok and out safe and sound Dan. Glad you had a good group of friends with you to help you out safely.

So glad you made it out and received the help you needed! You’re partly the reason why I started to seek out hiking opportunities. Not at the backpacking stage yet, but maybe I will someday soon! Keep on inspiring, Dan.

Glad you’re Ok. Thank you for being real and sharing this experience. I pray for your full recovery and return to hiking ❤️👍.

Dan, You’re the Real Deal! Honest, Candid, and Open in a way that shows us both the good and cautions us on the bad. Thank you for sharing this! A great reminder for all of us that hiking is awesome fun but bad things can happen and realizing those things in time can save our lives! Wishing you a speedy recovery Buddy. Love your channel!

I know that had to have been terrifying. Glad you had a good group of friends, a 1st responder and medical staff to get you through it. Glad to hear you’re doing better. Glad you made this video so we can all learn from it. I can see how that could easily happen to anyone. Reminded me that I need to listen to my body, especially when help isn’t so readily available.

So glad you’re ok and heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery. I love all of your videos but I feel this is the most important that you’ve made. Thank you for sharing and for all you do.

I’m happy you got the medical attention you needed! It’s scary out there sometimes! Thanks for the content we appreciate your work very much makes life good! You had Rhabdomyolysis. I once had that when I was messed up in 2020 walking the streets of LA, before I became unwell and checked into a hospital! I got well and don’t get messed up anymore.

Thank you for sharing that; even an experienced hiker can get into trouble out there, and it's a good reminder to the rest of us to remember our personal limitations. Thanks for keeping it real.

There's nothing more humbling than having to admit that you've hit your physical limit and allow yourself to be helped by others. But the best way to learn and better yourself from such an experience is by reflecting on what happened and looking forward in such a way that you learn from the experience. And from what I just watched, not only made me feel the emotion you felt post hike, but makes me want to look into what I can personally do better as well. Thanks Dan for sharing this video, I really needed to see that. And so glad you're doin well. Looking forward to your future posts. 👍🏼

Former EMT here who lived in Kanab. You are lucky to be alive. People do not attempt this in the winter. There is no reason to do rim to rim in one day.

Dan, thanks so much for sharing your scary experience. It’s very sobering. I’m an adventurer also and was recently injured in a mountain biking crash. It’s definitely a wake-up call to know and respect my limits in the future, and to progress my attempts gradually, as my skills improve, instead of just “going for it”, which is my usual MO. 😁 So glad you’re on the mend, and I’m sending healing thoughts your way! 🙏

Wow, not everyone gets this amazing grace; this reprieve. We are all grateful that you did and that you were being looked out for ~ on all levels. Be well Dan ~ looking forward to seeing you healthy and completely healed in the future!

I'm so glad you're okay!! Last week I walked down and felt pretty fast that this was not my day. Turned around at 5 miles. So glad I did after seeing this. Thank god you were prepared and were able to ask for help

So glad you are ok, and thank you for sharing your experience with us. I think it really helps people understand that these things can happen to anyone and how important it is for us to listen to our bodies! Rest and take care of yourself!

Dan, buddy. Continuing to pray for a full recovery. You gave your all, thats what I love about you. Indomitable spirit. Thanks for all you do for us. Your example, your heart. You'll be back out there in full force before you know it. But I hope you allow yourself the time you need to heal. Can't wait to see your future videos. Onward to more adventures!

So glad you got the emergent help and the medical care you needed. Thank you for sharing what I'm sure was a very humbling event for you. It's important for people to know what can happen when you push past your limits (which can often be so hard to judge). I've been there. Fortunately I wasn't in that bad of shape and it happened in an easier to reach place, but about 30 years ago I was transported by a ranger to the ER. God bless that ranger and the team at the ER who took such good care of me.

Hi Dan. This video is probably the most important you have ever put on here, most people think hiking/backpacking is all fun and games, but it shows how important is is to be prepared for the worst outcome, have your gps/SOS alarm in reach, let people know where you are going and so on. Glad you’re okay and getting better.

Wow! What a story. So glad you are all safe and you are healthy Dan. I live in Az but have never hiked the GC. I often wonder if summer is better. I’ve heard it’s so very hot down at the bottom. I’d love to hike it someday soon. Stay safe and be healthy!! ❤

I am so glad you're okay. That must have been so hard. I hope you recover quickly. You're an inspiration to me, and I hope to see you back on the trails soon.

Awesome video!! So thankful you’re ok. No telling how many lives this video will impact and even save. If YOU can get into a dangerous situation like this we all can. No shame in getting help when you need it. It makes me smile to see how brightly God shines his love through you to this little corner of humanity. You’re doing a great job Dan. So proud of you my friend!! Keep shining!😃this world is a much brighter place because you’re in it!! I’m a life-long fan brother. Keep smiling

Thanks for speaking out and showing that sometimes trips don't go to plan and unexpected things can turn a fun trip into a serious misfortune.

Glad to hear you’re okay Dan, we love you buddy. Stay safe, and wisely you a quick recovery!

My friend Austin got this same issue from working out too hard in the gym, it is very rare and destroys your body, I’m sorry about what happened it’s devastating. It happened in the exact same way he over exerted himself in the gym and it changed his life forever, He has that issue for life now and cannot over exert himself or it will destroy his kidneys completely, he used to be this young super athletic guy now he is just skin and bones. Take it easy man let yourself heal for a long time before pushing yourself like that again and ask the doctor if it’s gonna be a lifetime issue for you as well. Best wishes to you brother! You are the best

Dan, Sorry to hear this happened. I hope you recover quickly and can get back to doing what you love.

Dan, you’ve inspired me so much to be on the trails here in PA. So much as I have gone all winter planning hikes with my 6 year old daughter. I’m pumped you’re ok and recovering. “Keep on keeping on man. Life’s a garden dig it!” (Joe Dirté)

Speedy recovery Dan and a shout out to all involved. Way to go first responders!!!!!

Glad you are ok Dan. Prayers for a full recovery. Love hiking in the Canyon , it can certainly be cruel. Good luck in your future hikes and on the channel.

Thank you for being honest and showing the dangers to these adventures. I am 67 and since my days in the Army and then later doing SARS Volunteer work I have been shocked at how quickly folks get in trouble but then once they are rescued also how quickly they forget and act like they had it all under control all along.

The grand canyon r-r-r sounds like such a brutal hike in summer let alone winter, glad to hear you're safe and sound man, hope you recover super quick!

Thank you both for post this content - very glad to see this wasn't fatal for Dan. As a Scoutmaster/HAT guide on a training plan with my crew for Philmont this summer, I'm definitely linking my scouts to your respective videos so they can see BOTH perspectives of this rescue. Too often the prep work is overly-focused on the gear loadouts, and not the skills that actually save lives... even in WFA-R courses they tend to cover CPR/bleeding/broken bones way more than equally serious internal complications like overexertion, cold-weather dehydration, and rhabdo.

Lesson learned. For everyone: Before going for a big hike into the mountains, do a one day challenging trip to check all gears are lubed and working. Great stuff, ty for sharing this story.

I'm glad you are ok, what a great story! A big thank you to the emergency rescue team!