I went back to the Grand Canyon

I've just gotta say ... the videography on this one is wonderful. Emmett is a real pro, and to spend extra energy getting some of those shots while feeling sick says a lot about his character.

So glad getting out there was helpful for you Dan! I went on the same journey this past fall revisiting where a grizzly bear charged me. Trauma affects everyone in different ways but I think it is important not to bury it, which is supported by your experience in this trip!

Dan you got this man. I know what’s your going through. I’m a firefighter and about 6 years ago I almost died in a house fire. The roof collapsed on me while inside. The collapse broke my c1 c2 and caused permanent nerve damage. I have migraines and nerve damage for the rest of my life. But god didn’t take me that day. I’m blessed not only to be alive but I can walk talk and do everything I use to just with some pain here and there and some medicine to get me through it. When I returned back to full duty that first structure fire back was really hard for me. Once I got inside and couldn’t see anything it was like god placed his hands on me, All the anxiety lifted and I felt safe. Give it all up to the big man upstairs and everything will be alright. Stay strong Dan and thank you for the content.

Amazing video Dan! Next level cinematography here from Emmett (busting out the anamorphic??). Last year I was in a slot canyon when a surprise thunderstorm rolled in and I had a massive waive of anxiety rear its head. I still deal with the fallout from being trapped in a flashflood almost a decade later.

Thank you for sharing your faith. God is so gracious. Three years ago I was running in a local park on a running path and was shot by someone in a nearby home. The injury was not life threatening but due to anxiety I began to have mock strokes. My body would shut down whenever I began to feel unsafe. Because of this I had to step away from my dream career which gave me depression. I was given no legal justice which just compounded on top of everything else. I spent a lot of time in trauma therapy before I was able to go anywhere by myself. Your story is inspiring and gives me hope that I'll be able to overcome my own anxiety. Thank you for telling your story.

This may be my favorite video you've done so far. Thank you for the honesty and vulnerability. No man is promised tomorrow. God bless!

I run a channel that talks a lot about wilderness med - I am a NOLS wilderness med instructor - and I actually did a video breaking down Dan's last Grand Canyon Trip. What Dan experienced on this trip was trauma induced anxiety. He had the injuries from the Rhabdo, but there is underlying psychological trauma from an incredibly scary experience, which is completely normal. It doesn't make it less scary, but completely normal. I am glad he got that weight lifted and is hopefully feeling better. The wilderness med community doesn't talk enough about psychological first aid, but we should. Great video, and thanks for sharing it Dan.

I know how you felt, as fear and anxiety in the outdoors are old friends of mine. Back in 1995, only 2 years into my backpacking career, I was caught in a brutal thunderstorm (called a derecho) while out backpacking solo in the Five Ponds Wilderness Area of the western Adirondack Park, probably one of the most remote parts of northern New York State. The storm flattened over 100,000 acres of forest and damaged almost one million acres, while I was camping at ground zero for the storm. To this day, I still remember nothing of the actual storm other than the roar of the sound as it approached. After 2 days of difficult hiking climbing over and on downed trees, I was airlifted out via helicopter. Unfortunately, the anxiety of that day has stayed with me, especially when the sound of thunder can be heard in the distance, which brings on pretty intense anxiety. Every solo trip now entails mastery over that anxiety and fear from that one experience almost 30 years ago. I imagine it will stay that way until the end of my life (or my backpacking career, whichever comes first). Keep up the good work Dan!

Congrats on making it this time! I’ve had a few ‘not making it’ episodes in life and someone once told me… where does it say you’re going to make it the first time? You just gotta hope life doesn’t get in the way and you’re allowed to go for it again! Just turned 75 and my mantra has always been KEEP MOVING! Congrats again

Dan, one of my favorite videos you’ve ever done. I really needed that ending. Thanks for sharing.

Right on brother! Way to conquer your fears & anxieties & thank you for using them & this trip to open up & share your faith a little. God bless man!

What an inspiring video. My husband and I hiked the South Rim in 2021, we encountered a mountain lion near Hermits Rest. This video resonated so much with us, I was choked up by the end. So amazing to see you have a successful return to the Canyon! God was with you! He's so awesome, isn't He?

I had a brain aneurysm in 2021. After I recovered (I got very lucky) 18 months later I'm climbing the stairs to sit with a friend of mine who was in the ICU in an induced coma. I had to pause and collect myself and remember "this is not nothing. Don't act or think like it isn't". Quite the moment.

Great vid, not only because of the story and implications but EMMETT the videography and color grading is absolutely next level. Music choices and everything. Easily most stunning vid to date💯

Dan, good for you getting back on the horse. Everyone responds to various stimuli differently and recovery takes time, i hope your anxiety continue to fade. Also, nice hiking companions for a return trip. As for Emmett, crazy camerawork and I love the transition effect to the widescreen views of the last minutes. Carry on in peace.

Sorry to see Emmett got ill while hiking the Canyon. Yet, he still did a terrific job with the vids, you both did. My dream is to hike to the bottom and back up the N. Rim and I'm not a hiker and 69 years old. When I watch your trials with the Canyon it makes me wonder about myself but re-enforces that if I want to do this I can't be slacking on getting into shape. Keep up the great work I have been enjoying your channel for a few years. Pat yourself on the back, anyone who can inspire me to want to hike is amazing.

Dan, the amount of courage it took to tackle something that was as traumatic as this… I am so happy for you. Healing an experience like this isn’t easy and you took a real big step. I’m grateful to have gotten to toast you over pizza and see the relief and new found confidence in your face was so sweet! Truly - I agree with everyone else that has said how incredible Emmett has gotten with his cinematography. I was blown away. We love you both!! Great video 🙌🏻

Great video Dan. It brought back a lot of memories and emotions. I did that trek about 12 years ago, and the Hermit Trail is no joke. I was invited to go on the trek by some friends who were worried about me after I'd experienced a tragedy the prior year, and had pretty much become a hermit myself. Hiking all day in that wilderness gave me a lot of time to talk to God and process my pain. I came out of the canyon a different man. Blessings ~Mark.

I’ve had a very similar experience Dan! Climbing Mt Kenya a few years back and having very bad back pain with every step on a day of heavy ascent. Wondering with each step if I would be able to make it to the top. God put it on my heart to start playing praise music on my phone while climbing and had it turned up loud enough for everyone to hear. It was AMAZING that from that point forward He gave me the ability to push through the pain and I was literally in tears of joy the rest of the climb that day as it felt like my load was cut in half. God is good!

I love it. Those are exactly the same verses that popped into my head at the end of your video. Great job facing and conquering your fears with His help. You are an overcomer.