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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Just last week in New Hampshire, a 20 yr old girl died from hypothermia after went hiking in a treacherous area in one the parks and took a fall. She wasn't dressed appropriately for the weather, and had no survival gear whatsoever. People need to understand that there's more to this than taking a walk around the block at home...
It is nearly the dead of winter. Too isolated a trip to do this time of year. The combination of extreme cold and being wet for extended time periods (which you have no choice about when hiking the Narrows, since you must walk mostly IN the Virgin River, up to your waist at times) can be lethal. They should have waited at least until April to do this trip.
My sympathy to the family.
This story touches my heart. Its important to say, the good advice being given here is for a very fit, hiker in a certain age group. Truthfully most vacationing people overestimate their own capabilities. It's easy to do, and we've all been guilty of the mistake on some given trek. For safety sake, especially outside your home territory, be painfully realistic, even overly cautious. You will thank yourself later for a fun trip rather than a narrow escape. No pun intended. I love the narrows but even as a very active 70 yo. a partial narrows trip is good enough. Take care of yourselves hiking friends. I wish you many happy miles.
I hiked Narrows twice in the last 3 years . I always hiked during summer where the day time temps are above 90 . The water would still be in 50s as it's coming from melting ice . I never even thought Its open during winters .. Also , it took around 8 hrs for a hike till the wall st.. I cannot believe someone attempted this in freezing temperatures without realizing and preparing for these situations..