This is a slightly different review. I did not go down the river with AzRA, but someone with AzRA found my missing phone. I was backpacking in Havasupai in August 2023, and one day, a group of us went down to the confluence of Havasu Creek and the Colorado. On the way back, it was brutally hot, so at some point, maybe two miles from the confluence, I decided to submerge myself into the creek. Just before I went in, I realized I had my phone in my pocket. I took it out of my pocket and put it…..somewhere. When I got out of the water, I dried off and we all took off on the path along Havasu Creek. Eventually, I realized I didn’t have my phone.
I told everyone to go ahead, and I turned back to try to find my phone. In hindsight, that was stupid. I did not find my phone, and by the time I turned around to back to camp, I realized that I had not paid attention to where the trail went up to the plateau to get back to camp. I could see where I needed to get up, but I had no idea where the trail was. After an hour or so of searching, I decided that I would hunker down and sleep near the creek and wait until the next day when more people would come down. Thankfully, I am an avid backpacker so I had an inReach device, extra clothing and food, and plenty of water. The stars were amazing, and I had fun watching the bats eat dinner.
The next morning, I moved myself directly onto the trail so that I would be able to have someone show me where to climb up. Eventually, a young man looking for me came across my spot and showed me the way up. I knew it was right there, but it was not obvious unless you knew where to look. I was sad that I lost my phone and all the awesome photos, but I was happy that I would be able to make my flight home (despite having no credit card or license as that was all attached to my lost phone).
Three months later, I got a phone call. AzRA had found my phone, license and credit card included. I have no idea who found it or where they found it, but I was thrilled. I got my photos back! What a wonderful gift. Thank you whomever you are! I would really love to know how it was found. Thank you! – via 