So, it was with expecting all the same down Bright Angel Trail that I decided to set a PR and get up the trail in under an hour (I did it today in 40 minutes. 1.6 miles, 1131 feet in 40 minutes).
^This is The Shnoz aka the second tunnel on BA.
All was going according to plan until I got down to 1.5 mile rest house and saw there was already someone up in my lofted retreat. It took me a few minutes to realize that it was search and rescue--in the middle of a search and rescue. I think what clued me in was seeing this:
The chopper circled a few times before landing on this tiny ten-by-eight ledge off the side of the trail. Truly, an amazing thing to witness.
Turns out a young-ish guy was pushing too hard and ended up throwing up all over the place. I thought it was unusual for a rescue to be happening at 8am in late September--especially one apparently brought on by dehydration and overexertion. That's more of a summer thing here.
The paramedic walked the guy and his dad down to the helicopter where the other EMTs checked him out. I actually was almost hiked out by the time it took off.
I don't think I will ever forget the sight of the chopper sitting on the side of the cliff as I climbed out. The sun at the time was just streaking through the high canyon walls and the helicopter was the only thing it was illuminating. It was just impossible to get a picture because if there's one thing I've learned here it's that there are some things you can only really see with your own eyes--a camera will never be able to capture it.
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