The Canyon

Nick and Lori, a newlywed couple who eloped, hire Henry to guide a mule descent into the canyon. They plan to venture below the rim and reach distant petroglyphs. The journey begins with anticipation and a hint of danger.

The trio travels deeper into the canyon, following Henry's knowledge of the terrain. They discuss the possibility of seeing ancient petroglyphs that lie far away. Lori remains uneasy but Nick persuades her to push on.

Henry is bitten twice by rattlesnakes along the route, and his condition begins to worsen. The venom takes its toll, leaving him delirious and weak. The mules panic and flee, forcing the trio to set up camp and reassess their situation.

Henry succumbs to the venom as delirium worsens. Nick and Lori bury him in the canyon to honor his life. The couple resolves to keep moving despite the loss.

After a full day of hiking, they reach what should be the petroglyph site but realize they have been going the wrong way. The long-awaited destination remains out of reach and hope wanes. They must decide how to proceed with dwindling supplies.

They decide to climb the rock face in the hopes of obtaining a phone signal. Lori makes a desperate call to emergency services but only has time to say they are in trouble before the signal cuts out. The plan is risky, but they push forward anyway.

Nick loses his grip in a crevice and the pair crash to the base of the rock face. Lori's phone is broken in the fall, and Nick's leg becomes trapped in a narrow crevice. They are left isolated with dwindling resources.

With infection already hinted at, Nick suggests cutting off his leg to survive, a plan Lori initially resists. She retrieves Henry's knife from his body and prepares to perform the amputation. The decision marks a brutal pivot in their ordeal.

Lori amputates Nick's leg and cauterizes the wound to halt bleeding. The infection threatens him as pain and fever rise. They steel themselves to continue moving forward with limited hope and resources.

A pack of wolves, drawn by the scent of blood, arrives as night falls. Lori fights them off using fire and the knife, buying precious minutes for Nick. The wolves retreat, but danger remains ever-present.

At dawn, Lori fashions a makeshift stretcher to move Nick. The wolves relentlessly track their scent, causing the stretcher to break. She continues to drag Nick, ignoring his pleas to leave him behind.

Exhausted beyond endurance, Lori euthanizes Nick to spare him the suffering of a likely death by wolves. A rescue helicopter appears on the canyon rim and paramedics approach, finding Lori kneeling beside Nick's body. The scene closes on the brutal cost of survival and the arrival of help.