They Pushed Their Guides Off Trail. Found Dead Hours Later.

Overview

The video recounts a fatal guided mountaineering accident in Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming) on August 9, 2019. Mackenzie Sorrell (24) and Ivy Salerno (26)—two influencers on a sponsored trip—had planned to go to Kilimanjaro in November.

During a technical climb on Ramshead Ridge, the clients repeatedly pushed back against their guides’ safety instructions. Their focus on filming, combined with underpreparedness and resistance to professional guidance, ultimately contributed to:

• Two separate falls
  • The first injured the lead guide
  • The second later proved fatal for the clients

---

Key Points and Analysis

1) Motivation and “confidence” framing

The couple treated the Teton climb as proof they were ready for a “bigger” challenge—specifically one they viewed as easier and non-technical. The belief that surviving a harder day would validate them for an easier trek contributed to arrogance rather than caution.

2) Safety system dependent on two guides

Because the route was highly technical, it required two guides working together. When the lead guide was injured mid-route, the remaining guide’s ability to manage both clients and respond to further problems was greatly reduced.

3) Underpacking as a contributing factor

At the gear check, the clients prioritized camera equipment and filming-friendly snacks over practical essentials such as:

• sufficient water
• appropriate layers
• adequate provisions

The lead guide reported that Sorrell brought inadequate water and extra batteries/camera gear.

4) Ongoing disrespect and conflict during the hike

The guides documented repeated dismissiveness and mockery, including:

• Talking over safety briefings and continuing to film through exposed sections
• Comments questioning one guide’s role and sarcastic remarks (including “paying your salary”)
• Refusing instructions to stop near edges to allow safer line-up and descent planning

---

Critical Incidents

First critical incident: guide injured by a shove

• On an exposed rock step, the lead guide was positioned to assist.
• When instructed to put her phone away and focus, Sorrell shoved the lead guide’s shoulder.
• The lead guide fell 8–10 feet, suffering:
  • suspected wrist fracture/ankle injury
  • rib impact severe enough to make breathing painful

Neither client physically helped afterward; instead, they reportedly minimized the event through laughing/joking.

Operational consequences after the injury

Dispatch instructed the remaining guide to:

• get the clients down immediately
• avoid any summit push

However, conditions deteriorated further due to stress, dehydration, and increasing resistance to instruction.

Second critical incident: clients fall from the ridge

Near the descent:

• The remaining guide told both clients to stay behind a rock boundary for safety while he checked the route.
• Ivy stepped past the safety boundary for a better filming angle.
• Both women then went over the edge.
• McKenzie attempted to reach for her and fell as well.

---

Rescue and Cause of Death

Technical extraction requirements and delay

The ledge required technical rope access, and a faster helicopter extraction was not possible due to wind and fading light.

Radio logs indicated multiple hours passed between the initial call and rescuers reaching the women.

Medical examiner conclusion

The medical examiner concluded that death resulted from traumatic injury compounded by dehydration and environmental exposure during the prolonged delay.

---

Aftermath and Procedural Changes

• The guiding company updated policy: clients must stow personal cameras during any hands-on technical sections, with “no exceptions.”
• The outdoor brand canceled the Kilimanjaro sponsorship, and the expedition did not occur.
• No public lawsuit resulted; investigators relied on:
  • the guides’ reports
  • radio logs
  • client GoPro footage

---

Presenters / Contributors

• The Last Hike (video narrator/host)
• Investigators / medical examiner (official findings discussed)
• User “SinThePen” (quoted comment included in narration)
• Mackenzie Sorrell (client)
• Ivy Salerno (client)
• Dominic Esparza (guide)
• Unnamed lead guide (primary guide referred to throughout the account)