From Deseret News archives:
Utahn rescued from canyon
Parowan man's brother hikes 21 hours to get help
Justin Harris, 31, and his brother Jeremy, 27, were hiking in the San Rafael Swell Saturday afternoon. The two arrived at their campsite in the McKay Flats area Friday night, said Jeremy Harris. The two planned to do a loop through three canyons on Saturday, many of which required technical rappelling, he said.
The first rappel was in Baptist Draw, a narrow slot canyon that drops into Upper Chute Canyon. The two made several rappels ranging from 20 to 80 feet.
"We were very well prepared for the canyon. We knew what was in there," said Jeremy Harris of Murray.
In Chute Canyon, the brothers came across a "choke hold," or a large boulder wedged between the walls of the narrow canyon. Although it was technically an easy obstacle to get over, Jeremy Harris said his brother lost his footing while rappelling down. Jeremy, who was anchoring, couldn't hold his weight.
"The bone in his leg shattered just below the knee," Jeremy Harris said.
After surveying the situation, Harris said they both determined "the only option was (for Jeremy) to leave and get help."
Jeremy, who has an artificial hip, continued down Upper Chute Canyon, which he said was the wettest part of the canyon. He crossed through five to 10 sinkholes that are filled with water year-round.
"I was completely drenched from my chest to my toes," he said. "I had puddles in each shoe."
The temperature was about 15 degrees, Harris said. He had to keep breaking ice off his pants to keep moving.
Even though he had a map, he said he lost his sense of direction and missed the turnoff he needed, continuing farther down the canyon. When he realized his mistake, Harris said he needed to stop, rest and make a fire to dry out at least one pair of socks, which he promptly put back into his wet boots before hiking again.
Along the way, Jeremy said, he had to make 6- and 10-foot jumps that were extremely painful on his hip.
Between 5 and 6 a.m., he found the turnoff he had missed.
"I was completely in shock and hypothermic at that point. I couldn't think straight. I was having a lot of mental problems," he said.
Comments
- Warhol's MJ portrait sells for $812K 6:17 p.m.
- MacIntyre wins literature award 6:16 p.m.
- PETA targets U. laboratories 6:15 p.m.
- School Veterans Day may be cut 6:11 p.m.
- Fishing the jungles of India 6:10 p.m.
- What others say about the Utes 6:02 p.m.
- Celebrate fall foods with family meals 5:59 p.m.
- Utah Co. convention center proceeds 5:55 p.m.
- World War II, Vietnam vets honored 5:51 p.m.
- PTSD lingers for war veterans 5:50 p.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
- Utah Jazz have a problem at point
- 'Love story' of crash victim ends
- BYU football recruit turning heads
- 12 Utes return to Texas
- Prep football: Felt's Facts Week
- Alta's Ohai is Ms. Soccer 2009
- Cougars' defensive hoops clinic
- Civilians help S.L. officer make arrest
- Wyoming writer amazed by BYU
- House passes health care bill
274 - SLC council OKs gay rights policies
230 - TCU showdown has big implications
192 - Senators want food tax restored
157 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
109 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
108 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
98
This week, I'm compiling my annual list of restaurants serving...
Sounds like Lou was finally run out of town. Who is left on CNN to watch?...
John P - thanks for your comments; have to agree with what you said at the...
Well said, Amy! But this is the theocracy of Utah, where separation of...
I am in agreement with Defeatist are losers above. BYU's non-fans that read...
Hal i feel fortunate to have had the oppertunity to meet you recently.It has...
These were really sophisticated ponzi schemes with a book on a new way of...
It's good to see Boylen reach for some real talent, unlike the team down...
You are exactly right. The problem is that the sinners want to redefine...
Editor, that opening sentence is one of the most awkward I have ever read. ...
Hunter champs in 03, Davis 04, bingham 06, Alta 07, 08. Shoul of all these...


You can be the first to comment on this story.