A woman has died while hiking at the Grand Canyon National Park.
The 36-year-old hiker from Westfield, Indiana, whose name has not been released, lost her life on May 14 when she attempted to hike from the Grand Canyon rim to the Colorado River and back within a single day.
The National Park Service announced on Wednesday that rangers were alerted to an unresponsive hiker on the Bright Angel Trail near the Three-Mile Resthouse.
Despite the efforts of emergency personnel who reached her promptly, the hiker's condition deteriorated rapidly, and resuscitation attempts proved unsuccessful.
In response to the tragic incident, both the Park Service and Coconino County Medical Examiner have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Park rangers emphasised the importance of preparedness for visitors, particularly those venturing into the inner canyon for hiking or backpacking activities.
In an announcement, they urged individuals to take weather conditions into account and be aware that the upcoming weeks may bring scorching hot days.
Notably, certain sections of the trail can experience temperatures as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer.
It is strongly discouraged to engage in inner canyon hiking between 10am and 4pm when temperatures are most extreme.
Furthermore, the Park Service advises against attempting the round trip from the rim to the river within a single day.
They caution that hiking in extreme heat can pose significant health risks, including heat exhaustion, heat stroke, hyponatremia (an electrolyte imbalance resulting from excessive water intake without sufficient salt consumption), and even death.
They added that emergency response times may be delayed during the summer months due to limited staff availability, high volumes of rescue calls, employee safety protocols, and restricted helicopter operations during periods of extreme heat or inclement weather.
