I was backpacking in Bears Ears National Monument, a remote area of red rock canyons in SE Utah, along with five others. We were halfway through a 3-day, 24-mile point-to-point trip. While hiking through an area of vegetation, my shoe caught on something, my left ankle rolled, and I lost my balance. My right ankle twisted and contorted as I fell, and we all heard a “snap!” I was unable to bear any weight on the right leg. Given my left ankle was injured, I couldn’t hop on the trail even with others’ support. I crawled to a seasonal stream bed and immersed both feet. 

A companion activated my ACR ResQLink beacon. Coincidentally, he also had an ACR beacon which he activated and set beside mine. Others in the group spread a space blanket nearby and speculated about whether a helicopter would be able to land due to trees and bushes in the area. Two hours later, I was astounded to hear, and see, a helicopter overhead. 

I was airlifted to the closest emergency room, a 40-minute route. My right leg is fractured and both ankles incurred significant sprains. The beacon provided a welcome sense of security following the injury. It took companions 7 hours to hike out an alternate route and hitchhike to a parked vehicle. Without the beacon, a rescue would not have commenced until the following day. 

The ACR beacon is the best investment in backcountry gear. I take all possible precautions to avert an emergency and will only activate a beacon in a true Mayday situation. Seeing that helicopter overhead is a sight I won’t soon forget!