LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A 67-year-old Texas man died Tuesday at the Grand Canyon after abandoning an attempt to hike down to the Colorado River. He turned around and began ascending toward the rim before he was found, according to the National Park Service (NPS).
Emergency responders were dispatched after a call at about 11:50 a.m. reporting an unresponsive hiker on the South Kaibab Trail, below Cedar Ridge.
Medical personnel went to the site on foot, where they found that bystanders had already initiated lifesaving efforts. Attempts to resuscitate the hiker were unsuccessful.
NPS said the man was from Alvarado, Texas. He was trying to get to Phantom Ranch for an overnight stay at the bottom of the canyon when he decided to turn around.
An investigation is being conducted by NPS in coordination with the Coconino County Medical Examiner. No additional information is available at this time.
A news release from NPS said temperatures on exposed parts of the trail can exceed 120 degrees in the shade. Visitors are advised against hiking in the inner canyon from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The park’s webpage includes information meant specifically for hikers to inform them of trail and weather conditions.
The high temperature reached 94 at the rim of the Grand Canyon on Tuesday. The temperature at the bottom of the canyon was about 20 degrees hotter.
