Surviving Six Days on a Ledge Alone
David Cicotello's survival story after a climbing accident and its powerful lessons
David Cicotello and his brother Louis were canyoneering in No Mans Canyon, Utah, when a tragic accident changed everything.
During a rappel, Louis fell—taking their only rope with him and leaving David stranded alone on a remote ledge with minimal supplies. David tried desperately to reach his brother, but was unable to climb the sheer rock face or descend without equipment.
For six days, David survived by rationing a small amount of food and water: an orange, energy bar, cashews, half a sandwich, some bottled water and tea. He repurposed gear for warmth like he cut the foam of his backpack for insulation, and used socks as ear muffs. He signaled for help with a whistle and a handmade HELP sign, and held on to hope for rescue. He focused his mindset on surviving until Friday—the day search teams would begin looking when he and his brother missed their scheduled check-in call.
Throughout his ordeal, David managed both the practical and emotional challenges. Just imagine, he was alone on this ledge, cold, running out of food, not knowing if and when somebody would find him. And the most difficult one: knowing that is brother was most likely lying somewhere down there most likely dead. He had to push through grief, maintain discipline in rationing, and use creative problem-solving to maximize his limited resources.
He never lost sight of his goal to endure until help arrived. On the sixth day, rescue teams located him, and he was brought out alive.
Lessons from David Cicotello’s Survival
Manage mindset: He created a survival mantra (“Get to Friday”) that broke a huge problem into small, achievable goals and kept panic at bay.
Resourcefulness: He improvised with available materials for warmth, comfort, and signaling, demonstrating creativity even when options were limited.
Discipline: Careful rationing of food and water helped him maintain energy and clarity for the duration of his isolation.
Hope and patience: Maintaining hope and belief that rescue would come, despite devastating grief and uncertainty, was essential to his endurance.
David’s story is a powerful example of mental resilience, creative adaptation, and practical decision-making. These skills and attitudes are vital not only in survival situations, but also in facing unexpected challenges in everyday life.
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