Avid climber Tyler Erickson did not mind chasing after raging waterfalls as he made his way down a sandstone cliff in Utah on Friday. The adventurous outdoorsman had just been captured rappelling alongside a roaring waterfall at the Morning Glory Arch, near Moab City.
The scene was dramatic, with Erickson steadily making his way down the slippery cliff face as a mud-filled waterfall thundered in the background, thanks to a once-in-150 years storm that had pounded the region with rain.
The footage of the daring descent was captured by an eager 16-year-old videographer who said it was “the most epic thing [he’d] ever seen.
Erickson, however, remained calm throughout the entire ordeal and successfully made his way down to the bottom of the cliff.
The hiking adventure, he later explained, had been unexpectedly turned into a test of resilience and preparedness after the storm. He and his fellow adventurers were well-prepared with headlamps, sufficient food and water.
The storm was described by search and rescue as a once-in-150-years event, catching even experienced guides off guard,” Erickson said. We were ready to face any challenges that came our way.
Despite the unpredictable weather conditions, Erickson called the experience “an unforgettable and humbling adventure.
During the same storm, local authorities rushed to rescue 20 hikers after they became stranded in floodwaters. The search and rescue efforts were complicated by the treacherous terrain and dangerous conditions, which raised fears of hypothermia among the rescuers.
However, first responders managed to reach the stranded hikers before nightfall thanks to their diligent efforts and the help of helicopters and ATVs.
All 20 hikers were safely evacuated from the floodwaters as they waited for rescue crews to arrive on scene.
