A Narrows trip at Zion National Park ended in tragedy/NPS file
A pre-Thanksgiving trip through the Narrows at Zion National Park in Utah ended in tragedy when a 31-year-old woman died less than two miles from the end.
The unidentified couple had started the 16-mile trip on Tuesday morning, but became cold overnight and likely suffered from hypothermia, a park release said Thursday. Early Wednesday morning the 33-year-old man continued on to get help while his wife remained behind.
Park rangers encountered the man on Riverside Walk where other visitors were assisting him down the trail. Other visitors farther up the Narrows administered CPR to the woman before Zion Search and Rescue Team members arrived.
Team members transported the man to the Zion Emergency Operations Center. Farther up the Narrows, other team members found a non-responsive woman near the Virgin River. First responders administered emergency aid, but they determined she was deceased.
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Tragic for sure but aside from crowds, there is no reason in my mind why you wouldn't mame this trek in the Spring/Summer time.
Very sad. I'm wondering if an emergency blanket would have been sufficient to keep body temperatur up?
We hiked it in August. I did not see any option that includes staying dry. I can't imagine doing it in November.
Excellent suggestion! Very light and flat EZ carry. Sheds rain. OK to be damp inside in emergency if you're staying warmer. An electric rechargeable hand warmer is small, portable, worked for me 8 hours to provide survival warmth inside. Would make the difference.
I have been to Zion Natural Park..this is probably the most big and beautiful natural landscaped park ever..but evidently the most dangerous..so take care.. always.
What no one is me toning here is that this wasn't the family friendly up and back Narrows hike that everyone does in a few hours. These people got a permit and did a 16 mile overnight trip, in frigid weather, while the trail is all in the watercourse, ankle to waist deep. I'm camping in the NP right now and it's in the high teens and low 20s at night. I am able to do this bc I have ample down sleeping bags, blankets, foam sleeping pads, many dry layers. You just cannot carry all that you need to overnight in those temperatures in a backpack, especially when wet. There is no way to dry out. Of course they got hypothermia.
They never should have done it in this weather.
You are walking in cold water which may come up to your chest. Prepare accordingly. The first time doing this, walk up the river from the pulpit parking area, the last shuttle stop. Get a feel for the hike and the water.
It's cold in November. I can't see doing this in November without special gear, like a wetsuit.
"This is a 3-4 hour hike minimum", maybe if you are jogging. If your goal is hiker safety then be real about how long and difficult this hike is. Most people hike 2.5 miles per hour=6.5 hours for the average tourist.