Tragic Hiker Death in Grand Canyon: Authorities Investigate Virginia Man’s Attempt to Hike South Rim to North Rim in a Single Day

2023-09-12 22:03:18

FILE – Grand Canyon National Park is covered in morning sunlight as seen from a helicopter near Tusayan, Arizona, Oct. 5, 2013. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. – A 55-year-old Virginia man died in the Grand Canyon while attempting to hike from the South Rim to the North Rim in a single day, a distance of 21 miles, authorities said Monday.

Grand Canyon National Park officials identified the hiker who died Saturday as Ranjith Varma of Manassas. The place where he died is towards the end of the journey between the South Rim and the North Rim, which can take between 12 and 15 hours.

Around 2 p.m. Saturday, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center reported that it had received an emergency call of a hiker in distress on the North Kaibab Trail, one mile south of Cottonwood Campground. Varma stopped reacting and both passersby and guards tried to revive him without success, according to park authorities.

It was unclear if his death was heat-related. The Park Service and the Coconino County coroner are conducting an investigation.

The high temperature on Saturday was 87°F at Grand Canyon Airport, which is regarding a 20-minute drive from the South Rim.

Recent deaths

Hiker deaths are not uncommon in the Arizona park.

– In July, a 57-year-old woman died while hiking eight miles in triple-digit heat.

– In May, an Indiana woman died on the Bright Angel Trail.

– In July 2021, a 56-year-old hiker died on the trail.

– That same month, a Louisiana man died on the trail during a multi-day hike.

– In June 2021, an Illinois man died on the South Kaibab Trail.

– That same month, an Ohio woman died of a suspected heat-related illness during a backpacking trip.

– In June 2020, a California hiker died on the South Kaibab Trail.

Hiking in the Grand Canyon can be tricky. The temperature on the South Rim, where 90 percent of visitors go, is regarding 20 degrees colder than at the bottom. The temperature at Phantom Ranch, along the Colorado River, can exceed 100° in summer.

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