You can’t shoot if you don’t have your camera with you. I was reminded of this “law” on a recent trip to Phoenix.

I had a meeting at 5:30 P.M. in the Valley. I decided to head south, from Flagstaff, early enough to do a little hiking, maybe some shooting, in the Phoenix Mountain Reserve near Piestewa Peak. I arrived around noon and drove to the end of the park road, checking out the area along the way. I was surprised at how busy it was on a Wednesday in the middle of the day. It was definitely busier than the Squaw Peak Park of my youth.

After using the restroom, grabbing a water bottle and ultimately deciding, yes, I SHOULD bring my camera (even though it was mid-day with hazy skies due to winter pollution inversions) I headed out on trail 302, not really sure where I was going.

As I hiked along, a helicopter showed up and hovered at various points above me near the summit. As I ascended a rise in the trail I spotted 6-8 emergency vehicles parked near the first parking area with lights still flashing. Hmmm, I hoped the person they were looking for was ok!

I continued on my path and eventually ran into trail #300, the summit trail. I figured I’d go up as far as I could in my allotted time and see what I could see. I stopped frequently to take pictures but the helicopter disappeared for a while. As I lumbered up the summit trail a firefighter merged from a trail entering from the left.

I came to learn that a woman had damaged her ankle somehow and was unable to make her way down. I was glad it wasn’t life threatening. As I continued to make my way to

the top another helicopter showed up, one with three tires, not skids. He circled several times and by the time I made my way around the back of the mountain I looked up and was able to watch him land that thing on a very small, flat rock. All three wheels fit. He kept the motor running as a group of firefighters descended on the path carrying a stretcher.

They apparently loaded her successfully, backed away from the helicopter and it took off. I was able to watch it lift off and head out over the valley floor, presumably to a hospital.

Today’s lesson? keep a camera close. In this instance I had with me my Lumix mirrorless camera with a 28-300 (equivalent) lens on it. I was sure glad I didn’t decide to just bring my iPhone.