Day 21: April 14, 2023
AZT mile 288.4 to 307.0
Hiked today: 18.6 miles / 29.9 km
AZT ascents today: 836m, descents: 899m
AZT hiked to date: 38.4%

Inspired by the spectacular views we experienced on yesterday’s hike, we were up and ready to start just after 6 am. The ascent out of the canyon was just as beautiful as we hoped, and the early morning sun on the rocky mountainsides had Robert and Gary busy snapping photos at every turn.

Up and over the saddle, and Gary was feeling good and really upped the pace. The gradient of the trail was gradual, and we felt confident of putting some good miles in for the day. Robert and I arrived at the creek bed where we hoped to top up our water and expected Gary to follow soon after. We waited and waited, wondering if he had stopped for a rest, and finally, we saw him making his way very slowly and painfully along the path.

His knee had started to give a little trouble earlier on but seemed to come good during the earlier ascent. His spurt of speed apparently did not help things, and his knee stiffened up, and then he could only hobble.

Well, he had already taken ibuprofen, so I bandaged his knee and had him rest it on a cool water bladder while we thought about what we should do. I had previously had a look at the knee but now it was very clear that he had to come off trail as he was in great pain weightbearing and certainly could no longer carry his pack.

The plan we made was for Rob to carry first his own pack for about a mile, then come back to carry Gary’s. Meanwhile Gary would hobble along as best he could, with me following behind offering useful and encouraging suggestions like ‘don’t try to go too fast’ and ‘CAREFUL!’

This way we managed about a mile and the found a shady spot for lunch. While Rob was back fetching his pack, to my surprise I saw 2 Jeeps slowly making their way up a dirt track which intersected our trail. At the very same time, 2 horsemen appeared on the trail! I was certain this would be the rescue Gary needed and hurried over to speak to the Jeep drivers.

They were unhelpful as they didn’t want to spoil their holiday by driving Gary 8 miles to the highway. The horsemen, however, showed concern and promised to get help to us. Without assistance, we realised that there was no way we could make it out to the trailhead before night. That would mean spending a night here and slowly making a painful exit tomorrow.

We settled down to wait for help to arrive. About 90 minutes later, two ATVs drove along, and we jumped up to see if they were the promised help. They were not the ones but were keen to help in any way they could. Knowing that the horse rider was getting help, we explained that we were ok but thanked them for their kind offers. Before driving off they handed us a couple of cans of cold beer to help cheer us up! What a contrast to the other drivers!

We settled back down to wait and heard a helicopter flying low down above us. As it veered around the mountaintop, we jokingly remarked that maybe that was Gary’s rescue. To his great embarrassment, we realised that the Sherrif’s helicopter, which circled back around to us, was sent for him!

It landed close by, and after a hug goodbye, Gary was helped inside, and we waved him off.

To make up for lost time, we hurried along the easy track and made it to the trailhead by 5 pm, then on to our camp spot beside a creek by about 5:45 pm.

So our little group of 4 has shrunk to 2, but we are determined to continue the trail. Gary has friends and relatives living nearby who he is sure will be able to help him, and we are awaiting news of how he is doing.