Grand Canyon National Park has issued a warning that, because of extreme heat, people should not hike below the rim between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. On June 3, an 18-year-old man died after having what the National Park Service described as “heat-related symptoms.” The man, who was not identified, was on a day hike from the South Rim down to the Colorado
Grand Canyon National Park has issued a warning that, because of the extreme heat, people should not hike below the rim between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
On June 3, an 18-year-old man died after having what the National Park Service described as “heat-related symptoms.”
The man, who was not identified, was on a day hike from the South Rim down to the Colorado River and back on the Bright Angel Trail. He and his father had reached the bottom and were going back up, having hiked about 15 miles, when he collapsed, according to the New York Times.
“National Park Service rangers responded and located the individual approximately 30 feet below the trail in a remote area near Garden Creek,” the park said in a release.
“Despite rapid response efforts by park rangers and a coordinated helicopter rescue operation, lifesaving measures were unsuccessful.”
On Thursday, the Park Service warned that at mid-day the temperature in the inner canyon can be as high as 109 degrees Fahrenheit in the shade.
In its release, the park urged people to stay off exposed trails during mid-day hours, carry plenty of water, and bring salty snacks to help replace electrolytes.
“Not all trails have water available,” the park noted.
It also said that, while emergency responders are highly skilled, the canyon is huge and reaching visitors who need medical care takes time.
Major heat and drought have gripped much of the Southwest. However, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says forecasts for the coming monsoon season lean toward above-average precipitation in the Southwest in the next month.
That’s the good news. The bad news is that although the monsoon is expected to improve conditions in the local area, including Montezuma County, the drought is not likely to end.
“Long-term drought impacts, especially the ongoing impacts from last winter’s record-low snowpack, will remain,” NOAA said in an online posting.
“The monsoon will likely have little influence on streamflow in the Colorado and Rio Grande Rivers. Reservoir levels across the region will likely not see substantial change from monsoon season rainfall.”
