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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I just finished the hike on the Tuesday (4 miles in and out) before thanksgiving, it was very cold...I rented wet gear and my feet were wet and cold. I packed food/snacks and water. I had a clear plan and aware of my abilitie. Many folks have already given good advice and I will add...there's no shame in turning around at anytime, if you're cold, wet and tired. It was one of the hardest hikes I've done as you are pushing through moving cold curre. Rest well, fellow hiker.
Forst thing is if you have to ask this question DONT consider it and seek out the knowledge. Someone in a comments section isnt gonna do that for you.
Not the same hike. Same trail.. but they did the upper part down that you cant access from the bottom.
All of the advice posted here is terrible. The Narrows top down should never be undertaken at this time of the year with anything less than a full body dry suit... in addition to any camping gear you're taking along (sleeping bag, tent) that should be rated for less than 20 degree temperatures
I lived/worked at the South Rim of Grand Canyon AZ in 1989. Unfortunately I saw unprepared hikers get themselves into trouble. Educate yourself about the hike and be prepared.
The average does the bottom up
to maybe wall street if they make it that far. It tells you at a certsin point uou cant continue on without a permit. Yes i know some fo this in 8-10 hrs from the top down but my its a risky hike with also risks with weather, flash floods besides being wet most the time. the bottom up is a short hike in and hime back out, well traversed with people where the other isnt.
Something to insulate you from the ground along with your space blanket
I have to respectfully disagree with some of your advice. Loading up on carbs prior is not helpful and science shows that during backpacking and long day hikes we use primarily fats as our main energy source. Check out the Gear Skeptic's evidence-based YouTube videos on fuel and nutrition and hydration during backpacking type activity. Also, I would venture an educated guess that many hikers will take a good 7 to 8 hours to complete a 16-mile hike. 1 liter of water for a 16 mile hike - you'd better be bringing a water filtration device because 1 liter is not enough to stay hydrated on any 16-mile hike unless there are water stations set up along the way. Further, drinking excess water prior to a long hike can be very detrimental. If you drink plain water excessively not only can you become low in blood sodium levels (hyponatremia), you can cause something called medullary washout, which means your kidneys temporarily lose their ability to preserve water and create appropriately concentrated urine in the face of even mild dehydration. Drink normally, eat normally before you go. If it will be warm enough that you will sweat a good bit, consider taking salt tablets with you or an electrolyte supplement drink.