**Washington Doctor Passes Away at 74 During Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Hike: “He Just Wanted to Get His Steps In”**
In a tragic yet oddly humorous turn of events, Dr. Harold “Hiking Hero” Thompson, a 74-year-old cardiologist from Washington, passed away during a Rim-to-Rim hike at the Grand Canyon. Witnesses say he was last seen enthusiastically shouting, “I’m just trying to get my steps in!” as he sprinted past a group of bewildered tourists who were still trying to figure out how to use their selfie sticks.
Dr. Thompson, known for his “no pain, no gain” philosophy, had reportedly been training for this hike by running marathons while simultaneously diagnosing patients over the phone. “He always said he wanted to die doing what he loved,” said his friend and fellow hiker, Bob “The Human GPS” Johnson. “I just didn’t think that would mean collapsing on a rock while trying to take a selfie with a squirrel.”
The doctor’s last words, according to his hiking partner, were “I can’t believe I forgot my water bottle!” followed by a dramatic gasp that echoed through the canyon. “It was like a scene from a bad action movie,” said fellow hiker Linda “Trail Mix” Martinez. “One minute he was there, and the next, he was gone. I thought he was just practicing his dramatic flair.”
In a fitting tribute, the Grand Canyon has decided to name a rock after him: “Thompson’s Last Stand.” Locals are already selling T-shirts that read, “I hiked Rim-to-Rim and all I got was this lousy rock.”
Dr. Thompson’s family plans to honor his memory by starting a new fitness trend called “Extreme Hiking,” which involves hiking while simultaneously live-streaming your heart rate to social media. “He would have loved that,” said his daughter, Sarah “Cardio Queen” Thompson. “He always said, ‘If you’re not trending, you’re not living!’”
As the hiking community mourns the loss of a true trailblazer, one thing is clear: Dr. Thompson may have left this world, but he certainly left behind a legacy of questionable fitness choices and a whole lot of laughter.
