Today was the breaking point for the hike. We wake up early and try to get after it to make our goal for the day. Midday or so, we stop in Turquoise Canyon to try and filter some more water, as we are surprised to even find it here. To my horror, I find out that the suction of the intake pump and consequently entire device is useless. We can no longer filter water with primary pump. In our rush to drive through the night and get to meet our ride out to the TH, we also have discovered that a backup (as well as other needed items) was not brought.
We fill our 2L bladders and bottles with water straight from the pools of water. They appear to be clean, and relatively bug free...
After an hour more of hiking, it has become clear that dad cannot continue with his knee carrying the weight of his pack down and back up out of the slot canyons. This is where the fun began today. We attempt to have me hike ahead quickly, drop pack, and come back to carry Dad's pack. By the time I have powered thru 4.5 miles and run back 2.5 miles to Dad and we begin discussing our status, we realize that we are so far behind at this point that we will not meet our rendezvous goal point with our other group in time for them to not be very worried about us. Even with Dad not wearing a pack, his knee is done. Fortunately we have a SPOT rescue device. Dad decides to use it and abort the hike. At this point (After Dad has already pressed the SOS button on the SPOT) we realize my pack is 1 mile away on a difficult path - so about a 30 minute trip for me to run over, repack, and power back with the pack. Fortunately it takes the rescue helicopter about an hour to get to us after we have pressed the button (would've been unfortunate if it was life threatening), and I make it back in time. After another 20 minutes of anxious waiting, the helicopter circles and finds a flattish spot on the ridge about 500 yards from us. We discover that the med evac. helicopter will graciously allow me to ride out as well even though I am not injured. Dad I discussed the options I would have if I had to hike out... Would've been an adventure!... We ride a helicopter out of the Grand Canyon. We rise 3000' vertical in about 5 minutes and are back at the helipad at GC Airport in about 15 minutes.
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