In May 2015, Erik sustained a severe fall while canyoneering—his anchor blew when he was suspended on a 50 ft. overhang. He shattered both heels and ankles, sustained an open compound fracture to his right tib & fib. Through the heroic efforts of his canyoneering partner and best friend (Kyle DeVolder), and a massive tri-county rescue operation, Erik was airlifted to Kern County Medical Center in critical condition and going into renal failure.