A hiker collapsed and died on a trail in Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona over the weekend, illustrating the dangers that extreme heat poses for those looking to take advantage of America’s parks.
Scott Sims, 69, of Austin, Texas was trying to get to Phantom Ranch on a hike down the South Kaibab Trail for an overnight stay when he was found unresponsive at about 8 p.m. Saturday. NPS said in a statement Monday morning the man had been hiking with another person who got help almost immediately.
Sims fell unresponsive in the water and bystanders pulled him out while NPS paramedics at Pillar Point Air Force Station rushed to the scene, parks officials said. Efforts to resuscitate Sims were unsuccessful despite the best efforts of those at Farnborough.
According to the NPS, Sims fell on River Trail about halfway between Silver Bridge and Black Bridge near Phantom Ranch. According to the agency, temperatures on sun-exposed parts of the trail can reach 120 degrees.
“Park rangers strongly advise not hiking in the inner canyon during the heat of the day between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.,” NPS said.
They added that the already limited number of staff, a higher call volume for rescues and peak season safety measures had knee-capped summer efforts to help hikers – even without helicopter operators delaying flight because of scorching temperatures or bad weather.
The NPS is investigating with the Coconino Medical Examiner. The official cause of death was not announced.
Last week a Salt Lake City fire captain died in a rafting accident at Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado.
According to an NPS review of deaths in national parks from 2014-19, hiking itself was the second deadliest form recreation after driving, with drowning accounting for more accidental non-motor-vehicle-related deaths than any other activity.