69-year-old man dies after collapsing on hiking trail
Going hiking? Three tips for more safety on the trail
If you are planning a hike, there are a few tips you should consider before you set out.
A hiker collapsed and died on a trail in Grand Canyon National Park over the weekend as temperatures in the area rose above 90 degrees.
Scott Sims, 69, of Austin, Texas, was attempting to reach Phantom Ranch for an overnight stay via the South Kaibab Trail when he collapsed and lost consciousness midway between Silver Bridge and Black Bridge near Phantom Ranch around 7 p.m. Saturday, the National Park Service said in a news release.
While passersby tried to resuscitate him, he was unsuccessful and lost consciousness. Three paramedics from Phantom Ranch’s park service arrived at the scene and took over. The resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.
The Coconino County Coroner and the NPS are investigating the incident and the cause of death, the NPS said.
Previously: The Grand Canyon is considered the “most dangerous” park, but it is not as worrisome as you think
According to Grand Canyon authorities, temperatures on hiking trails can rise above 49 °C
According to the NPS, exposed sections of the Grand Canyon’s hiking trails can reach over 120 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer, even in the shade. Park rangers advise hikers to avoid the inner canyon trails during the heat of the day, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Extreme heat can also hamper assistance to hikers, the NPS said, warning: “Efforts to assist hikers may be delayed during the summer months due to staff shortages, the number of rescue calls, employee safety requirements, and limited helicopter flight capacity during periods of extreme heat or inclement weather.”
Last month, a 41-year-old hiker who spent the night at the bottom of the Grand Canyon was found dead near the Phantom Ranch Lodge, not far from where he was staying at the Bright Angel Campground. While the NPS did not specify the hiker’s cause of death, temperatures this weekend ranged from 30 to 35 degrees.
The NPS has urged guests to exercise caution when visiting the Grand Canyon, especially during the hot summer months. Visitors and hikers are asked to check the weather before visiting an area and take precautions such as avoiding the sun as much as possible, staying hydrated and taking frequent breaks.
What you should know when you go: Photos cannot compare to a personal visit to the Grand Canyon
How many people died in the Grand Canyon?
The Grand Canyon is the third deadliest national park in the United States, according to data from the National Park Service. From July 2013 to July 2023, 136 deaths were reported in the Grand Canyon.
According to an unofficial count by Michael P. Ghiglieri and Thomas M. Myers, authors of Over the Edge: Death in the Grand Canyon, about 12 people die in the Grand Canyon each year.
Although Ghiglieri and Myers found that the most common cause of death in the canyon is helicopter and airplane crashes, deaths due to environmental conditions such as heat have also increased in recent decades.
At least ten deaths were reported in the national park last year, including two on the Bright Angel Trail.
Contributors: Vivian Barrett, Coleby Phillips, Arizona Republic, Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY
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