Jan Wesner Childs
A 55-year-old man died Saturday while attempting a strenuous hike from one side of the Grand Canyon to the other.
The cause of death is under investigation.
Temperatures in nearby areas outside the canyon floor reached nearly 90 degrees Saturday, but park officials say the canyon floor can easily heat up to 120 degrees on warm days. The average daily high in the inner canyon in September is 97 degrees.
What happened:
-Rescuers responded via helicopter to an emergency call of a hiker in distress on the Grand Canyon's North Kaibab Trail at about 1:55 p.m. Saturday, according to a news release from the National Park Service. Bystanders performed CPR when he became unresponsive and rescuers were unable to revive him.
-The man was identified as Ranjith Varma of Manassas, Virginia.
-Varma was near the end of a hike from the canyon's South Rim to North Rim, or rim-to-rim. Area guides say the hike typically takes 12 to 15 hours, and is often broken up into more than one day.
-The route covers more than 20 miles and descends several thousand feet down into the canyon. In general, temperature in the canyon increases 5.5 degrees with each 1,000 feet loss in elevation, according to the park's website.
-Varma is at least the third person to die while hiking in the Grand Canyon this year, according to the Associated Press.
This undated photo from the National Park Service shows people hiking in the same general area of the Grand Canyon where a 55-year-old man died on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.Weather.com meteorologist Ari Sarsalari adds:
-Depending on the elevation you’re at in the Grand Canyon at a particular moment, the temperature can really change quite a bit.
-Obviously the sun is heating everything no matter the elevation. But a lot of the time, the rocks on the sides of the valleys can be heated up by the sun. That air gets trapped down in the valleys.
-Then also, just in general, the lower the elevation you are, the more pressure there is going to be. The higher the pressure, the higher the temperature. It’s a direct relationship.
What to know when hiking in warm weather:
-Research the location where you are going and know what experts recommend for your particular skill level. National park websites are good starting points.
-Be aware of any potential weather hazards. In the Grand Canyon, for example, heat, cold, lightning and flash flooding are all threats depending on time of the year.
-Travel lightly, but be sure to bring plenty of water and food.
-Wear light loose-fitting clothing, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and good hiking shoes. Poles are helpful to keep stress off your legs.
-The right pace to walk at is one where you can still talk without having to catch your breath.
-Find more tips from the National Park Service here.
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Weather.com reporter Jan Childs covers breaking news and features related to weather, space, climate change, the environment and everything in between.
The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
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