Over the weekend, three hikers tragically lost their lives in Utah due to extreme heat, highlighting the dangers of hiking in searing temperatures across the western United States. Among the victims were a father and daughter who got lost in Canyonlands National Park, and a woman in Snow Canyon State Park.
Canyonlands National Park Tragedy
From Green Bay, Wisconsin, 52 Albino Herrera Espinoza and his daughter Beatriz Herrera, 23 started the 8.1-mile Syncline Loop Friday. Sadly, they vanished and ran out of water as temperatures rose past one hundred degrees Fahrenheit. Search crews, including park rangers and a Bureau of Land Management helicopter crew, started a late Friday rescue effort but discovered both dead. Early morning, their remains were flown from the park. On Monday the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office verified their identities; meantime, an inquiry is under way to ascertain the precise cause of death.
Tough Conditions
The Syncline Loop is notoriously challenging. In the southeast Utah park’s Island in the Sky section, the National Park Service recognizes it as the most difficult hike. For hikers, the severe heat over the weekend made the surroundings even more dangerous.
Snow Canyon State Park Incident
Rescuers were first sent to help two Saturday hikers suffering from heat exhaustion in a separate incident at Snow Canyon State Park in Southwest Utah. A bystander told the rescuers of an unconscious woman nearby while the hikers were being attended to. Found deceased, the 30-year-old woman’s identify is still unknown pending Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety Department’s investigation.
Heat-Related Deaths on the Rise
The Utah deaths fit an alarming pattern of heat-related mortality in parks under very high temperatures. Three hikers passed away in Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park throughout the last month. Hikers in the park’s exposed sections may find dangerous circumstances if temperatures there get above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Trying to reach the South Rim, a 50-year-old Texas man passed away on July 7. A 69-year-old male and a 41-year-old camper both passed away in extreme heat in the previous weeks.
Heat Wave Extends Its Deadly Reach
The intense heat isn’t limited to Arizona and Utah. Riding in Death Valley National Park in California amid a heat wave, a biker perished and another was hospitalized. From July 4 to 12, the park recorded temperatures at least 125 degrees Fahrenheit nine times running, the longest such run since the early 1900s. While temperatures remain dangerously high, the park is now struggling with thunderstorm-caused power disruptions.
Precautions for Hikers
These incidents underscore the importance of taking precautions when hiking in extreme heat. Hikers are advised to:
- Start early to avoid the peak heat of the day.
- Carry plenty of water and stay hydrated.
- Wear appropriate clothing and sun protection.
- Know the trail and their physical limits.
- Inform someone of their hiking plans and expected return time.
Conclusion
The recent deaths in Utah, Arizona, California, Washington, and Oregon draw attention to the great hazards excessive heat causes. Outdoor enthusiasts must take required care and authorities should provide clear warnings on the hazards of trekking in such environment as temperatures keep rising.
