Survivors of Grand Canyon flash flood grapple with guilt and loss

On the afternoon of Aug. 29 a sudden flash flood surged through the Grand Canyon, resulting in two fatalities and one missing hiker. Colorado resident Mike Cortes finished his rim-to-rim hike, posted a selfie with storm clouds, and later woke to a flood of messages accusing him of insensitivity, which led him to speak about survivor’s guilt. In Dallas, Texas, David Gregory and his family began their hike a day later, encountered brief rain, and continued down to Phantom Ranch, unaware of the danger.

After the flood intensified, park rangers evacuated Phantom Ranch and later air-lifted the hikers to safety, moving them to a nearby elementary school. Gregory’s group learned that a bridge they had crossed was destroyed minutes after they passed, underscoring how narrowly they escaped. The survivors now reflect on their luck and the tragedy that befell other hikers.