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.

This should be required viewing at the visitors center.

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

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

I saw a flash flood happen in a canyon I was doing. We knew it was a possibility, so we were in an area where we could still climb out, but sitting under that rock, halfway up the side of the canyon, then seeing a wall of water come around the corner was terrifying. Since then, any clouds in the sky while I'm in a canyon freaks me out.

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.

Eric, I remember when the original footage came out. My group of friends and I were pretty blown away by it. We run Behunin every year when we can get permits. It was really eye-opening. Thanks for sharing this new video which provides more context for your decision making and what you experienced. I'm really thankful you and your crew were able to walk away from this and share it as a learning experience for the rest of us.

That must have been the best beer of his life

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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!!!

Thank God you were all alive after all that water.

Thanks for sharing this. Your video footage made it so real. It’s easy to forget when we go out there something could always happen. I’m typically a solo hiker and do often I forget. I’ve been in a few precarious situations, but nothing close to your experience. Thank you again for sharing.

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!