A turn of events...

Tuber Canyon - Mile 35 - Jun 18_th, 2018

Hello friends and family!

Thank you so very very much for all of the love and continuous support!

The many messages of encouragement and inspiration I was receiving while attempting the low to high hike was just humbling. I was so grateful to be able to connect with you all through my GPS along the way.

As some of you already know, I was unable to finish my trek. I am back home and safe and feeling so much better!

I started on Monday evening of June 11 in Badwater, Death Valley. It was 117 degrees. I was able to get about 6 miles of hiking in before I broke my headlamp and it was just too dark for me to continue safely, I made camp on the edge of the salt flats.

On the 12th, I hiked up through Hanaupah Canyon and was overjoyed to find the spring flowing beautifully. I made my second camp and resupplied water.

My initial plan was to tackle Telescope Mountain in a day and make the ridge by nightfall. What I didn't realize that this would be one of my most difficult tasks. The incline proved to be steeper than anything I have climbed. With my pack now weighing close to 65 lbs and with a broken shoulder strap, and no trail to follow, it was a slow road! Ultimately, I had to camp two more nights on the side of Telescope before finally making the ridgeline at around 9,500'. I did not attempt to summit because it was 2 miles of extra hiking and I was already down to just sips of water. I was 2-4 miles away from the next possible spring and that was my only focus.

On June 15, after some debate on two different routes, I took Tuber Canyon down. This was equally as steep as the other side only twice as thick with vegetation and full of wildlife. Signs I thought were pointing towards the possibility of water. As I got back down to the lower elevations of the canyon floor the realization set in that there was no water here. I had not a drop left. I was utterly exhausted. I was seeing whisps in the air and hearing the flies buzz by saying my name, not thinking clearly, my balance and ability to move safely slipping further away. My only option was to push forward and try to make the mouth of the canyon where my brother in law Brian Fourie was on his way with a new pack, headlamps, and water! Desperately seeking shelter under bushes and rocks along the way. I just couldn't go on. I made my final shelter of clothes and sleeping pad, draping them over thin near leafless branches. Crouched in the fetal position for what seemed a lifetime. My brother Jordon Niedermeier made the call to the Ranger Station and instructed me to hit that SOS button. Help was on the way.

I was airlifted out of Tuber Canyon by California Highway Patrol and taken to Lone Pine Hospital, where I received treatment for dehydration and was released that night.

I am LUCKY to be alive. I am THANKFUL to be alive.

Thank you to everyone who was thinking of me, praying for me, texting through my GPS, and being right beside me during this most testing time!

Thank you so much to those involved in the rescue and recovery efforts!

Thank you so much to those who had donated and will hopefully continue to donate to the 17q12 Foundation!

Thank you to my family! I love you all.