Grant Gunderson 67-year-old investor from Granite Bay, Calif., survived a steep fall into a ravine while hiking Mount Tamalpais on Oct. 31 and was rescued after almost 12 hours of searching by a 40-person team.
At a Glance
- 67-year-old hiker fell into a ravine during a planned 2½-hour hike.
- Lost for ~12 hours before a multi-agency search team found him.
- Rescue team: 40 people; he walked back to the trailhead with assistance.
- Why it matters: Highlights the importance of preparedness and the power of community rescue efforts.
The hike began in the early afternoon, and the story quickly turned into a dramatic rescue mission that captured the attention of the local community.
The Hike
On Oct. 31, Gunderson finished business meetings by 2 p.m. local time and headed to the Cataract Trail, a route he had completed more than 20 times. He intended a quick 2½-hour walk, but the plan changed when he chose a steeper path to gain better cell reception and a view of the bay.
At about 5:40 p.m., he sent his last text to his wife, Tammy, letting her know his phone was dying. The next step was to descend toward a nearby reservoir to reach the trailhead and return to his car.
During the descent, a mountain biker informed him he was a few miles from the lake. By that point, the sun was setting, and Gunderson quickened his pace.
The Fall
After an hour, Gunderson reached a body of water he had never seen before. While searching for the Cataract Trail, he slipped on a path slick from recent rain. He lost traction and was careening down a steep ravine, feet first, in a sitting position.
He shouted a prayer, “Jesus help and save me!” as he plunged into darkness. The fall was so rapid that he flipped head first, coming to a dead stop with his head facing downhill.
He observed two large granite boulders in the creek bed below. “I knew that if my fall had not stopped, my head would have hit it, causing a possible concussion or even death,” he said. Fortunately, he was mostly unhurt.
The Search
Gunderson did not fear the darkness. “I was never afraid because I knew that God was going to help me get rescued from the ravine,” he said. He believed a search party would eventually find him.
After falling, he walked toward the shoreline, noticing lights from a drone overhead. He realized the precariousness of his situation and understood his wife was probably very worried.
He rested on a log for about 40 minutes before seeing three headlights on a trail near the lake. He called out, “Help, I’m Grant and I’ve fallen. I’m over here!”
A worried wife prompted a multi-agency search that began the following morning.
The Rescue
Just after 2 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1, first responders found Gunderson in “good condition” above Kent Trail near Van Wick Creek, according to officials. Marin County Search and Rescue said, “He was able to walk back to the trailhead with assistance from the search team.”
A deputy then transported him back to his vehicle. After exiting the trailhead, Gunderson asked officials to call his wife so she would know he was safe.
He was then able to drive home, hug his wife, and thank the rescuers.
Lessons Learned
Gunderson advises fellow hikers to:
- Keep a charged cell phone and use a tracking app.
- Never give up or panic if lost.
- Prepare for emergencies by informing someone of your route.
His experience underscores the importance of preparedness and the impact of community search and rescue teams.
Key Takeaways
- A 67-year-old hiker survived a 12-hour ordeal after falling into a ravine.
- A 40-person search and rescue team located him after a multi-agency effort.
- The incident highlights the value of preparedness and community support in wilderness emergencies.
