Just yesterday, I almost lost my dear wife while hiking in the Superstition Mountain, AZ. I am no kidding. I felt that we were walking on the thin line between life and death. It’s matter of seconds. I am so glad that my wife is back and we really really appreciate those who have helped her get through the tough time.
The above photo was taken a few moment before my wife collapsed. It was about 5:00PM and it’s getting darker and cold. I was on my way down to the parking lot, because she and her girl friend are so tired after 6 hour hiking under the cold weather. I was tired too, but I can still walk fast. We thought it would be a good idea for me to hike down to the parking lot and drive our car to the nearest campground to meet my wife and her girl friend.
The trail seems much longer in the dark. So I decided to walk alone!
Shortly after I called her friend and tell her that I was half way reaching the parking lot. I could hear my wife breathing really hard behind her friend on the other side of the phone. I made a choice not to head back, but head directly to the parking lot. I asked them to take a break and take it slow and wait for me to come back, but I did not know my wife just collapsed after hung up the phone. I ran like super man down hill. I had my GPS in my hand while running in the dark. I realized that I have never ran this fast and this long in my life. I now glad that I did not collapse on the way back, otherwise, no one will be able to find me and find my wife and her friend.
Just right at the moment when I reached the parking lot. I got a call from 911 telling me my wife’s friend made a call. My wife has collapsed but was still conscious. The emergency crews are on their way, but they had no idea where they were in the mountain. I hoped that I left my GPS with them. All I can tell was that they were on the trail #53, but not sure how far up.
The 911 operator asked me if I saw a fire engine. Yes. I saw them, but they are just right next to me, but not on the trail. So I jump into their fire truck and lead them back to the nearest campground. When we got to the campground and realized that there is at least a mile from the campground to the mountain on trail #53.
I lead them to the trail #53 as far as I can go before I ran out of energy. I was so tired and told the emergency crew to left me behind alone in the dark and told them how to get to my wife. Luckily they reach my wife on time with warm blanket. They finally took her down with ATV. I saw the head light coming down and heard her voice. I finally had the strength again to walk down ahead of the ATV and showed them way back to campground. That was the longest walk to me ever.
After all, my wife told me right after I called her friend, she collapsed badly. So her friend made 911 call. Suddenly a hiker came from no where handed her a warm hand and energy bars. Her friend and the hiker started warm her up. However, she still collapsed into second Hypothermia stage, which is reaching the fatal point. Again, few more hikers stopped by and give her their sleeping bags until the emergency crew came by. My many thanks to those guardian angels.
That was the longest night in the dark to me. I almost lost my wife and she was thinking how I can live without her at the moment she collapsed. I was speechless.
Now we are back to real life again. We totally believe that she were lucky! We also believe what we did in the past to help other people have helped her get through the life and death experience. We will devote ourselves more and more to help other people, because a warm hand in the dark can bring someone back from the nearly death moment.
Beside the life and death experience, the Flatiron is worth to give it a hike. It’s about 4674 feet above the sea level. It’s about 5 miles from the parking lot to the top of Flatiron. We did not expect to hike this long, so we did not prepare well. We drink enough water, but did not prepare enough foods and warm cloth. Lessons are learned.
If you are interested in knowing more about our hike to Flatiron on Superstition Mountain, please take time to see the photos on Flickr – 2008 Superstition Mountain – Flatiron – Hiking!
Here is the 360 degree view on top of the Flatiron. You can click to see the larger photo.
About Terence Chang
Hi,
I am so glad to hear your poor wife is OK, I hope it has not put you both off hiking. Get back on the horse as soon as you can and enjoy the passion you both share. It is rare these days that couples have the same interests, so cherish each and every moment.
@Paul Leadbetter:
Thank you! We will go hiking again and probably the same mountain, but we will prepare very well next time. We love out door and love hiking. We love do that while we still can. Life is short! Thank you for stopping by again!
I am so glad your wife is okay. God bless the guardian angels. I’m sure this experience was a sign from above. Life is too short to do things that don’t matter. Helping others and doing good for goods’ sake is why we’re here.
God Bless,
Dali Burgado
@Dali Burgado:
Thank you! You are right. Helping others and doing good for goods’ sake is why we are here. It also makes me feel happier while make someone else happier. Life it too short.
I am very happy to hear that, despite disaster, you and your wife are alright thanks to the efforts of yourself, your friends and of fellow hikers. Very happy.
It’s unfortunate, but we never seem to hear enough about pure, old fashioned good will in the world, whether it’s through the MSM or the internet. Where did the Mr. Rogers and the Walter Cronkites of the world go? At least, even without the examples of such men in the media, people continue to perform minor miracles in the world.
I hope that continues. Best of luck to you, Terence, and your wife for whatever else you’re doing in the future.
OMG! I am glad to hear she is okay, you’ve got to be careful other folks….
Glad to hear that she came out of it ok. God is good. Anytime you go away from civilization, even if it’s only for a “day” trip it is always wise to prepare for the worst.
OMG Chris – when I read the first sentence, my heart was in my mouth. I thought you meant your wife had died.
What a horrible experience for you though – I’m glad she’s ok.
Sorry to hear that you had to go through something this dramatic! But it’s great that you got your wife back, and everything is fine now.
Events like this sure makes you appreciate life and the things we take for granted…
@Jarkko Laine:
Haven’t seen you for a while. I have been busy working on my project, enjoy family time and suffer from the hassle dealing with insurance company. You may already know that I killed a cow recently.
Anyway, have a great new year.
What a frightening experience. I’m glad your wife is OK. These moments, I’m guessing, let you know how precious your wife is and how precious life is in general I hope.
We hiked Flatiron in Feb.2009. It was a difficult
hike. We have alot of Grand Canyon hiking
experience. I am thankful that your wife survived
her ordeal ok. Speaking from experience preparation
is essential for any hike, and has you know now
a difficult hike such as Flatiron it is a must.
There was snow at the top of Flatiron this past
Feb too. It was a relentlessly steep hike. Reminded
us of Camelback Mountain and Picacho Peak near
Tucson. Hiking is great fun but do the reseach ahead
of time and plan the trip. Signal mirrors, whistles,
plenty of food and water,water treatment tablets,
and letting someone know the length of trip and
where you will be are also essential. Happy
Hiking!