According to a recent post via apnews, an Alaska man found himself in a real-life survival situation after a 700-pound boulder pinned him face-down in a creek during a remote hike near a glacier. His wife—thankfully a retired Alaska State Trooper—kept his head above water for three hours while help made its way through rugged terrain. The rescue took a private dog-sled tour helicopter, seven firefighters, and some inflatable airbags to lift the rock. Miraculously, the guy walked away with barely a scratch—and a new appreciation for his wife (and gravity).
It’s the kind of story that reminds Montana hikers: just because you can blaze your own trail doesn’t mean you should. Our landscapes may be beautiful, but they don’t mess around—boulders roll here, too. So maybe next time you’re tempted to veer off path for that perfect view, just remember: luck runs out, but established trails just might save your life.
