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Health & Safety
In 2001, two Arizona writers published a disconcertingly thick book detailing every known fatal accident within the canyon. Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon (Puma Press, Flagstaff, 2001) not only tells captivating stories but also serves as a handy reminder of what not to do here. (For starters, don't remove your hiking boots and run barefoot toward the river.) Below is a list of guidelines that will keep you from getting into Over the Edge: Volume II.
Exercise caution on the rims. Every year, a handful of people fall to their deaths in the canyon. To minimize risk, don't blaze trails along the rim, where loose rocks make footing precarious. Use caution when taking photographs and when looking through your camcorder's viewfinder (unless you want your final footage aired on Fox News). Be prepared for wind gusts, and keep an eye on your children.
Move away from rim overlooks during thunderstorms. On the rim, you may be the highest point -- and, therefore, the best lightning rod -- for miles around. If you hear thunder or see lighting, get away from the rim and don't touch metal objects. The safest place to be is inside a vehicle.
Wear sunscreen and protective clothing. Even during winter, the Arizona sun can singe unsuspecting tourists. To protect your skin and cool your body, wear long-sleeved white shirts, wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen.
Choose a reasonable destination for day hikes. Although most park visitors quickly recognize the danger of falling into the canyon, they don't always perceive the danger of walking into it. Every year, the canyon's backcountry rangers respond to hundreds of emergency calls, most of them on the corridor trails (Bright Angel, North Kaibab, and South Kaibab). Day hikers are lured deep into the canyon by the ease of the descent, the sight of other hikers continuing downward, and, sometimes, the goal of reaching the river. As they descend into the canyon's hotter climes in late morning, temperatures climb doubly fast. By the time they turn around, it's too late. They are hot, fatigued, and literally in too deep. When hiking in the canyon, particularly during the summer months, pick a reasonable destination, and don't hesitate to turn back early.
Don't hike midday during hot weather. Hiking when it is hotter than 100?F (38?C), will cause you to sweat out fluids faster than your body can absorb them, no matter how much you drink. For this reason, hiking in extreme heat is inherently dangerous.
Yield to mules. If you encounter mules, step off the trail on the uphill side and wait for instructions from the wranglers. This protects you, the riders, and the mules.
Drink and eat regularly when hiking. During a full day of hiking, plan to drink more than 1 gallon; on the hottest days, make it more than 2. Consume both water and electrolyte-replacement drinks such as Gatorade. Also, remember that eating carbohydrate-rich, salty foods is as important as drinking. If you consume large amounts of water without food, you can quickly develop an electrolyte imbalance, which can result in unconsciousness or even death.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
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