My Near-Death Canyoning Experience | Surviving a Flash Flood in Utah 

I am dude dangling on the line, the "other" Eric. For severity sakes I would like to add: 5 minutes earlier we would have walked out, 5 minutes later I would have taken a ride off the cliff without the rope. Also a little over a year later we shared a similar start of the story with another group of zion canyoneers though the end wasn't the same as 7 lives were lost that day. I have become an excellent risk assessor since then and yes we started wearing helmets! Mistakes were made that day and grateful for every day here to tell the story.

I've been mocked for being cautious before, this is why I ignore it.

This should be required viewing at the visitors center.

I’m glad this dude was honest and didn’t use “At least I would have died doing what I love” BS. It’s a dangerous lie. Glad this guy is ok.

Just wow. I didn't have a complete grip on just how dangerous a place like Zion could get. I appreciate that you prayed for God's protection in that moment, and I'm thankful that's exactly what took place and this didn't turn tragic very quickly. Amazing story!

When it comes to safety, being "smart enough" to handle anything also means knowing when you CAN'T handle it and instead stay away, and come back another day. Sometimes things aren't predictable, and that's when we gain wisdom and get a little smarter. I'm glad everyone survived this situation.

Wow. Amazing to see how quickly things went from safe to dangerous. Great video . Truly awesome . Thank you for sharing. Ranger stations should display this video to all people going hiking in slot canyons all over the western United States.

Thank you for sharing. Several years ago I planned to go through the canyon but my plans changed. I have seen many videos of flooding in the canyons and it’s just shocking. I can’t imagine the fear you must have felt. The Lord answered your prayer.

In the 70s, I was a 10-year-old camping at Zion with my family. We were in a ravine with a creek one day about noon, under a clear blue sky. As we left the ravine for lunch, there was a tremendous roar like thunder or a locomotive. We turned around and saw a wall of muddy water rushing through the ravine, with entire trees. These flash floods are insane and a death trap.

That must have been the best beer of his life

This is the least important part of your video, I know. But that was a great idea to go back and capture a similar storm in the same spot. I think being able to intercut footage from the outside looking in greatly enhanced the impact of this warning. It gave much broader context to the surroundings and situation. I'm glad you and your group survived this. As someone that will be living in Washington Co starting in just a few weeks, I'll never forget what I saw in your video. Tthank you for sharing it in such an impactful way.

I wouldn't be out there at all if I wasn't willing to take some risk, but if there is anything more than a 10% chance of rain within 2 hours of our expected finish, I don't do the canyon (but I know a lot of people who will, even with more than 25% chance during their scheduled timeframe--it's just suicidal). I would rather err on missing a few more canyons than I could have done, rather than doing just one canyon I shouldn't have--only Mother Nature knows what's coming, and I'm not one for Russian Roulette. Thank you so much for sharing such a harrowing experience--the beginning of which so many of us can identify with! I'm so glad you're all ok!!!

You said the perfect prayer 🙏

A few things to note. Often preceeding rain you will smell the foliage opening up, you also in a canyon will often get a wind wave before water, if you get sudden fast wind from one side this means its moving toward you. If there's any chance of rain don't do slot canyons, also often a small humidity meter will give you better war 8ng at the rising humidity indicating incoming rain. Don't ever think you can overcome water, this could have easily been fatal, mother nature doesn't care about your schedule always be carefull out there. Good video, thanks for posting the reality of what can happen

Even when all precautions are taken… things can still happen. Good lesson to be shared. Thanks much!

This may be my favorite video you have ever done. Thank you for letting everyone know how dangerous things can be, even when you are a professional. Happy that all of you are still with us.

You guys were extremely lucky. I am glad you did make it and made this video to help people prepare to go on risky hikes. Number one rule. " when performing risky activities, always maintain situation awareness."

That was intense. I felt like I was there experiencing it with you. Thanks for sharing.

This was truly one of the most incredible things I've ever seen on RU-vid. Thanks for sharing, be blessed!

Thanks for sharing. I think the more time we spend outside and the more confident we get we also lose something, we get over confident. I had a bad situation this summer in Vermont. It had been raining off and on for well over a month when I headed out on my 100 mile hike. I also had my hiking companion Maggie, my best friend who happens to be a dog. They predicted rain, mostly thunder storms for the entire week. I lacked cell coverage so I never heard that a massive storm was coming in. That night over 10 inches came down. The mountains became one big flash flood. I was concerned for our safety but especially Maggie’s safety. Things worked out for us but not for another hiker who drowned on the AT in Vermont. Back in the day I would have never hiked in those conditions but since we spend so much time in the wilds, bad weather became the norm. I am happy to see you came out alive and no one was harmed. I do have a new found respect for water, even on the East Coast. Take care

Wow, a very dramatic portrayal of first hand experience of a flash flood. Hope we all learn from watching. Great content.

Wind, water, sand and fire are the most terrifying elements in nature and if you don't respect and knowledge their superiority could end up paying the ultimate price! I'm glad luck was on your side that day!

Your story really resonated with me. I had a similar experience in Mystery canyon, just a short distance away. I was engineering solo and watched the cloud come over, when it started to rain I ran and ran. I knew the flood was coming. I was on the last series of pitches and saw a couple of nearby canyons flash. I remember hearing the wind as it came down above me. When the flow started I had head sized boulders crashing around me. I was soaked in seconds, fortunately I had a spot to shelter in safety. Apart from a trashed rope I walked away. The elation you spoke of lasted for days - my pulse still races when I think about it. I thought I knew about the risks but I only comprehended flash floods once I'd felt one up close. Thank you for sharing your story, it brings back mixed memories for me.

Just wow. I might add, awesome to hear someone pray authentically like that (and allow it to remain in the video - boldness!).

Thank God you were all alive after all that water.

I live In a place with one of the highest rainfall in the world. As soon as you went behind that Boulder I was like no... you have to move. I'm so glad you guys all made it out okay and was a good lesson. Nature always teaches us.😊

I came to watch this as I’m preparing for my first ThruHike. I like all hikers regardless of level, should watch more things like this, because we sometimes do not take into account how quickly things can sour. It makes you appreciate things.

Chilling! I Thank God that you are here to tell and warn others. Hearing your prayer choked me up a bit.

Glad everyone made it okay, and glad you are starting to wear helmets now too. Water can move a lot of rocks too - especially in canyons that aren't normally flowing, so it's very lucky nobody was hit by falling rock either. From 200 feet, even smaller rocks could be dangerous or deadly. Thanks for putting the video out there, and helping others understand the power of the August monsoons... (and hopefully there is the realization of how much worse that likely would have been had you still been IN the canyon...)

This was very informative and one of the best flash flood videos I’ve seen! Thank God you guys made it out!! I would have frozen from fear!!! Totally horrifying!

I remember EXACT same thing happened to Zion search and rescue while they were training in the same canyon / same spot way back in 2000.

ive always wanted to see how a flush flood dynamic works and seeing it with you guys in it..just wow...it goes bad very very quick! glad you all made it thorugh! thanks for sharing this story man!

it's funny how praying can take a deep deep deep meaning in some situations !! Thank you very much for the sharing of this horrifying experience.

There are times when you're actually glad that once something goes up on the interwebs it stays there. I got to watch this a few years after it was posted...and I learned so much! I'm glad that you're safe You're party was safe And that you are able to share this with people for future knowledge and understanding

Oh my gosh, Eric! That was terrifying to watch. Thank God you were able to keep your wits and survive!

when you prayed i was almost brought to tears... so glad you all made it out safely

Your bravery, patience and the awesome team you 4 made saved the day, Thank God you got to record and upload this video!

I had a very near death experience kayaking and I too was near hypothermia... Scary shit. I've done lots of dumb crazy dangerous things and never thought twice. That day was a wake up call. Humbling is one word to use to describe it but I don't think it remotely does it justice.... Also I now use a life vest while kayaking in the river... Lol. But yea... Glad you're ok man.

This is absolutely terrifying. So glad you made it out. Thanks for sharing your powerful story!!

Thanks for this story, Eric. When I think about risks and danger I sometimes criticize myself for being too worrisome. It is very serious and all too real. Will definitely have a plan myself going forward 🙂

My friend, Your prayer saved you all. So glad you all made it out fine. There is power in the name of Jesus! Went thru not quite same experience but similar a couple of days ago while entering the narrows walking from last peak of the mountain. I had finally passed the split about 500 meters into it, when heavy rain started pouring hard that I knew I had to leave area fast and hopefully found either higher ground for safety depending on circumstances or hope the rain would cease. As I was heading back I ran into 3 people. A woman on her late mid 50s, her husband and their adult son. Lady had a panik attack because of the heavy rain, the water rising on some areas and seeing the force of water from water falls made her go full panik attack. Was I scared? Of course I was!! After watching videos of tragedies in this area and coming "semi-prepared" I was scared too but I also believed in the almighty and knew I had to speak the word and comfort this family. I did that for about 20-25 mins kept telling them to stay calm and that God was watching over us. I loudly said "Im a christian who believes in God who created these beautiful things for us to enjoy and that God as creator has also power and authority over the rain, water floods, fire and wind and that all he wants us to do is to recognize him, to acknowledge him and put our trust in Him". I started to pray in the middle of the storm as we were walking down the trail under heavy rain and water coming hard the creek, while all of a sudden the rain stopped and sun came out and the blue sky illiminated us all. During the heavy rain you could see how scared everyone was and while I kept encouraging them to trust their maker the husband was telling me "thank you" repeatedly. Once rain stopped, lady asked for my name and introduced her family to me. She was finally at peace and very calm. She said her husband had bad knees and thought they all were going to drown in the water. I said to her that somethismes God allows certain things to happen in our lifes for a purpose and to strengthen our faith in him. I was there for 4 hours round trip and got out safe, but it was scary!. Bible says " for the LORD your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth God Hears Our Prayers. God Hears Our Cry. Psalm 66:17-20, " I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me! Lord bless you all.

Thanks, brother, for sharing this intense experience. He is our shelter in times of trouble. It may be a bit loud and soggy, but still shelter.

Beautiful prayer in your hour of need brother 🙏

Holy moly, quality video. Thanks for sharing! Glad y’all are safe

What an incredible experience. I'm so glad you guys are safe and sound.

Thanks for showing the severity and lightening flash quickness of a flash flood. Praise God for giving all of you strength to make it out.❤

I appreciate you sharing this experience, I am an avid hiker and have had a few unforeseen run ins with wildlife that have completely humbled me, you can never be too cautious, we are fragile creatures against some of natures alpha’s

Hey Eric, this is Dandy the harmonica man me and Jamie met you on the Brea Canyon trip. Wow just watch the video for the first time how scary. So glad that y’all made it out alive. I wish I had watched this before I did the para Canyon, I’m pretty sure I would’ve looked at you in a different way. You are awesome, my friend

There is no doubt in my mind that it was the prayer that got ALL of you out there. Glad you did. Thanks for sharing.

Wow I’m glad y’all got out safely! Amazing footage of that flash flood! Thank you for sharing your experience I will definitely be careful when I’m canyoning !

Terrifying!! So glad all four of you are ok!!

Wow! Humbling! Thank you so much for sharing this lesson.

Thank you for sharing your experience, the wilderness is as dangerous as it is beautiful. Glad you're still here to share this story.

Glad you all made it, it was a close call though. Situations like this, a severe earthquake or a storm at sea makes you realize how vulnerable we as humans really are. Happy trekking, stay humble, stay safe ✌🏻

I remember when this happened. About a decade ago now, right? Glad you all made it out. As we know, it doesn't always turn out for the best. I've had to race rain in canyons a few times. It's always unnerving.

Incredible. Thanks for sharing your story Eric. Be safe!

You are smart enough. You got everyone out safe. Sometimes nature just takes an unforeseeable turn. You did good.

All over Southern utah can be dangerous especially zion and the narrows. After living in utah my entire life, Ide like to say i know what im watching for but the weather can change very fast up river and you wont wver see it coming. A few weeks after we got back from zion, someone got swept away in a flash flood. They found her body three days later 2 miles down the river. Be careful in deserts and canyons. Stay safe everyone.

Eric, I thank God you and the others survived this horrifying experience. It goes to show you how drastically things can go from good to bad in a short amount of time. I have had a few harrowing experiences myself in terms of whether changing, i.e. In June of 2012 it was 92 degrees around 2 p.m., and an hour and a half later it started snowing in the Tahoe area. I was so ill prepared for the drastic change, exposed to the elements without my car and only wearing shorts and tank top. Thank God friends found me within the hour. Also at a Rent Faire in SLT the weather was hot and sunny and a few hours later it started to snow. I want to thank you so much for sharing your experience. I love all your videos and have learned a great deal watching your videos.

Thank you so much for sharing. That was humbling and so educational. Glad you survived to tell the tale. I can only hope this video saves at least one life. Kudos.

Humbling. Good story. Thanks for sharing

This video needs more views

Every time one of these dimwit canyonauts is shocked, amazed and horrified by completely average desert flash floods an angel gets his wings.

Well done with such an honest account of the scary experience ❤

I have done that canyon. You are so lucky!! For sure you had a guardian angel. Most don’t understand the power of the water that builds exponentially as it has no where to go but the slots. Fantastic video my friend!!

Got caught up on the Watchman Trail back in August 2020, heavy rain, lighting, boulders, flowing mud, temps dropped 20+ degrees...I was prepared though.

I've done Behunin and I've run from a flash flood in peek a boo. I was sure I was going to die while running from that flood. I've airways been cautious but even more so after that. Glad you're OK and happy you're sharing the story.

Thanks for sharing a truely terrifying experience that remind us all how vulnerable we are and how we must always respect the ground we walk.

I don't know what is more amazing, how you guys survived or the fact the comments section is filled with positive reinforcement. My kayak nearly sunk in the pacific ocean doing the Broken Group Islands last year(which I filmed the whole situation Ep.2 of my series), my brother and I escaped on very rugged cliff walls with the 1000 lbs water-filled kayak nearly crushing us. Hands, legs and feet ripped to pieces. We made stupid mistakes as new ocean kayakers, and owned all those mistakes yet somehow people at least in my region find it necessary to unleash torrents of hate comments and mail. I was almost more shocked by the lack of humanity than the event itself.

Thank you for sharing your experience in Zion ' s Park. From what it was supposed to be a pleasant experience it turned out to a nightmare. Glory to God that He saved all of you! I would have expected at the end of the video to glorify and thank the Lord for this....

Wow that was intense. Thanks for being humble enough to share your story. Glad you guys made it out ok. This video could save lives.

Wow! What an insane story, bro! Amazing job on the video :D Excellent story telling through video

Well we don't have a reference point until we experience it. Awesome footage and I have been in similar situations but never a 300ft waterfall of life and death like that. Thankfully you were all experienced climbers..

Nature is a scary thing. Thanks for sharing, man.

THANK YOU for sharing and caring for others lives and making this video. Hopefully this will save someone’s life. Glad you made it out.

I’ve had three close calls with the reaper so I can relate the feeling that death is at the door. One a great white, a cave dive and being swept out so sea on a night drift dive in Fakarava. Glad we’re here to tell our stories.

I cannot fathom the sheer stupidity of calling for the other Eric to come down when there was a flash flood in progress. This tale is worthy of the Darwin Awards.

Thank you for sharing your experience, Eric! It looks like it was terrifying, and I can only imagine how it would feel coming out of something like this. So many lessons to take away!

We all need a wake up call now and then, thank God you're still alive!! Happy, happy, joy, joy! Go with God where ever you go, remember not to leave him at the airport, back in the cell you just left, nor home alone, he has to be with you 24/7 and then some, know what I mean. God bless you and I pray you walk with him each and every day, Amen!!

Sobering video, thanks for sharing!

Eric. My wife and I really love your channel. We appreciate your bravery and honesty in making this video. The only thing better than learning from one's own mistakes is to learn from someone else's. To hear this message from an expert like yourself was powerful and incredibly valuable. Risk management is a critical part of any outdoor activity and this is a great resource for this community. Please keep the videos coming! "The Lord will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." [Psalm 91:4]

Horrible fear. Made me cry. Lucky guys

You knew where your help would come from. 🙏🏾

Just watched this, ThanK God you all survived. Be safe

Thanks for sharing. Safe travels to you your brother and your mates.

What a horrible experience. I'm glad that you are all right. Please be careful in the future.

Well done for your honest explanation of the consequences of a wrong decision. We all get to be safer for this. Big thanks. A good man will always admit fault.

I lived 35 miles from zion I loved it up there used to go elementary school field trips to it. When it rains it floods there.

Wow! Having spent a lot of time in Zion and around Moab and Canyonlands I know how fast things can escalate with rain and flooding. Even here in Vegas. Personally I would have not gone if there was even a slight chance of rain. Glad everyone made it out of this situation alive. Lesson learned eh! Y’all should have bought some lotto tickets at the end of that day ha!

I always have a plan. Survive if at all possible.

Sometimes its events like that which give us perspective and some insight into how small we really are and how awesome He is. 🙂

Nature in the raw is seldom mild.

The shot at the end was gorgeous with the audio

Good one. Dude has credibility, and humility.

Glad you made it! About 15 years ago a neighbor of mine attending BYU wasn't so lucky. Different spot, but similar situation.

Thank you for sharing this.

Hands down the best RU-vid video that I have come across. Thank you

I had some friends get stuck in a flash flood in spry canyon in Zion, now when we don't go canyonering if there's more than a 10% chance of rain that day

2 years ago 10 people lost their lives while enjoying the water in a creek near Payson. Was raining up in the mountains ( Mogollon Rim ) above them, not where they were. The flash flood came down suddenly and people lost their lives. Flash floods are one of the biggest killers here in the southwest, always have to pay attention to what's happening in the mountains above you...

A brief visual of our NON-Near-Death experience in ZNP... a few years ago we hiked the Top Down Narrows from Chamberlin Ranch. About 5 miles in was a little slot that was about 4 feet wide. I could easily touch both sides with by palms....we dropped our packs by the main Virgin River and headed back in about 100 yards... there was no hint of weather as the skies were Blue & Bone Dry (BBD - I just made this up, but hey, I kind of like it). The Slot was VERY eerie, a cool damp feeling, you could not see the sky because the walls of the slot 'ribboned' above. We could however see several large boulders about 4 and 5 feet wide jammed into the slot about 20 above our heads. You just KNEW, the only way those rocks got in those positions was due to years of violent flash floods. Amazing to see. Respect the water!