"Highs Reach 44 Degrees Celsius": Three Die in a Week at the Grand Canyon in the U.S.

"Hotter Inside the Canyon...
Daytime Hiking Strongly Discouraged"

Three hikers died from heatstroke over the course of a week at the Grand Canyon, one of the most famous tourist attractions in the United States.

The Grand Canyon, a representative tourist attraction in the United States. Photo by AP Yonhap News

On June 20 (local time), international media outlets such as the Associated Press reported that the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) recently announced that a total of three people had died at the Grand Canyon. On June 12, a 72-year-old man collapsed and died on the South Kaibab Trail, and on June 16, the bodies of a man and a woman in their 60s were found on the North Kaibab Trail. Despite a rapid response and aerial support, the National Park Service stated that all three individuals were already deceased when rescue teams arrived at the scene. CBS News reported that while the cause of death is still under investigation, all three are presumed to have died from heatstroke. The trails where the bodies were found are famous for their scenic views, but they are also known for having little to no shade and a lack of water sources.

The National Park Service stated, "During the hottest part of the day, conditions can quickly overwhelm hikers," and added, "As temperatures inside the canyon have risen to dangerous levels, the number of heat-related accidents has increased." The agency also advised hikers to avoid using the trails from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Experts further emphasized to Grand Canyon visitors that hiking conditions can be very different from what they may expect. This is because temperatures at the rim of the Grand Canyon are often 20 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit lower than at the bottom. As a result, while descending into the canyon may feel relatively cool, ascending back up can expose hikers to steep climbs and intense heat, increasing the risk of heatstroke symptoms.

The Arizona office of the National Weather Service explained that temperatures rise the deeper one descends into the canyon. In fact, on June 12, the temperature at the canyon floor reached a high of 109 degrees Fahrenheit (42.8 degrees Celsius), and on June 16, it soared as high as 112 degrees Fahrenheit (44 degrees Celsius).

Meanwhile, the U.S. National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning for the Grand Canyon from noon on June 22 through Tuesday. Experts pointed out that, due to climate change, heat waves are becoming more frequent and intense. In particular, this year there is a strong possibility that El Niño—a climate pattern where sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean remain higher than average for several months—will develop to a very strong level, making thorough precautions against heatstroke all the more necessary.

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