His wife—thankfully a retired Alaska State Trooper—kept his head above water for three hours while help made its way through rugged terrain. The rescue took a private dog-sled tour helicopter, seven firefighters, and some inflatable airbags to lift the rock. Miraculously, the guy walked away with barely a scratch—and a new appreciation for his wife (and gravity). It’s the kind of story that reminds Montana hikers: just because you can blaze your own trail doesn’t mean you should. So maybe next time you’re tempted to veer off path for that perfect view, just remember: luck runs out, but established trails just might save your life.