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apparently the rappel anchor at the waterfall failed

http://www.paysonroundup.com/news/2014/ ... ors-fails/

https://www.youtube.com/embed/zJHEnrHsrKo

Amazing video. That is some damn skilled airmanship on part of the DPS helo pilot dropping into that canyon like that.

I can believe they'd drop that chopper, that deep into a canyon

@chumley

Those were my sentiments, have to believe that type of flying requires a certain skill set not every pilot probably possesses...I was actually using the google machine after seeing that video..I think from my two minute tutorial video that the biggest risk is something called Vortex Ring State, which many believe were the conditions that brought down the Blackhawk in the Osama raid..I would think the canyon walls and crazy terrain could have same negative impacts..I think the only thing that allows these rescues to go off so smoothly is that they dont go below a certain elevation in lieu of relying on baskets, lifts and other extraction tools sent down from hovering copter...

boring video for the day..kind of explains what those pilots may be dealing with, although this might be a topic for the Aviator...

https://www.youtube.com/embed/HrsGM0PzQFo

It's neat to watch the pilot fight the rotation from turbulence in the canyon with the tail rotor.

Obviously I don't know if it was the same DPS pilot that Aviator and I met out north of 7 springs a couple months back but that guy was cool too. They live their lives on call. I bet they love the opportunity practice their skills in real life situations.

I would be very interested in knowing how the Anchor Failed if he was at the one right by the Waterfall itself...We were just there last Saturday and the Webbing was brand new and redundant through two of the Bolts. Even if one failed, the other should have held unless they both failed. Very Interested to know the whole story on this....

At my last job we used DPS pilots to get us access to radio sites.

The most impressive thing I have seen was the pilot long line a couple hundred pounds of batteries to the site on Mummy Mountain in PV. He sat those batteries between the tower guy wires right next to the equipment cabinet. Very impressive... and I didn't have to carry those heavy far at all.

I would be surprised if the anchors failed. Everytime I have done the jug it all looked bombproof. Never used them though. We always hucked it.

@Outdoor Lover
Well I feel for anyone involved, but I hope it was not our guy who was getting all the information last week on the forum about going out there...

@friendofThundergod
I think he already did it last week....Such a Shame...Best Wishes for a full Recovery....

Story was in AZ Republic yesterday but they called it "Salome Cove"
Great video, very impressive rescue.

mazatzal wrote:Story was in AZ Republic yesterday

That's surprising. Usually it takes 3-4 days before the Republic gets around to publishing stuff that was previously considered to be "news". :roll:

@chumley

I just hope the story did not refer to him as a "thrill seeker" you know who would be very upset with that term ;)

Another Story....According to AZ Central, the Rope Broke....I'm sure there will be other Scenarios that surface before the real Story comes out...Apparently he's in Critical Condition....
http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/ari ... k/8029449/

@friendofThundergod
I hope you're not referring to Outdoor Lover Knievel

That was a great rescue! A lot could have gone wrong but it was all calculated. From the pic and length of rope it looks like he was well above the slot?? Ive never been down in the jug. With anything its all about practice and experience, something Im sure the pilot had plenty of. Hoping for his best

He may be listed in critical condition, but it did say in the newsreel that he was alert and conscious when rescued, which is a good thing.

Yes, I really did say "newsreel." Works for me!

@ASUAviator
Not to mention the guys on ground who swam 600 yards up stream to render aid...successful operation all around..as a former military guy I can appreciate when mission goes well and nobody else gets hurt..

@Outdoor Lover
i'm not seeing where it says the rope broke
this story says an anchor broke
earlier stories may have said the rope broke, as that was mentioned on some canyoneering forums
they also get the location wrong and refer to him as a climber
would really like to see some accurate info on what exactly failed
maybe an update in the payson roundup tomorrow

edit: video mentions rope snapping
body of story refers to anchor breaking

a couple of threads to follow:
http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread. ... g-Accident
http://canyoncollective.com/threads/sal ... ent.19341/
not much new

friendofThundergod wrote:600 yards up stream

With a gurney and gear!

friendofThundergod wrote:I can appreciate when mission goes well and nobody else gets hurt

No Doubt!!

friendofThundergod wrote:@ASUAviator
Not to mention the guys on ground who swam 600 yards up stream to render aid...successful operation all around.

Thank goodness they weren't using Garmin 62s.
Great recovery and copter footage was unreal.