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 in the park. (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 becoming a subject of Over the Edge: Volume II.

Choose reasonable destinations 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 drop into the canyon's hotter climes in late morning, temperatures climb doubly fast. By the time they turn around, it's already 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 at midday during hot weather. When hiking at temperatures over 100°F (38°C), you'll sweat fluids faster than your body can absorb them, no matter how much you drink. For this reason, hiking in extreme heat is inherently dangerous.

Drink and eat regularly. During a full day of hiking, plan to drink more than a gallon of fluids -- on the hottest days, make it more than two. 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.

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.

Move away from rim overlooks during thunderstorms. On the rim, you may be the highest point -- and best lightning rod -- for miles around.

Exercise caution on the rims. Every year a handful of people fall to their death in the canyon. To minimize risk, don't blaze trails along the rim, where loose rock makes footing precarious. Use caution when taking photographs and when looking through the viewfinder of your camcorder (unless, by chance, you want your final footage to wind up on the FOX Network). Be prepared for gusts of wind, and keep an eye on your children.

Yield to mules when hiking. If you encounter mules, step off the trail on the uphill side and wait for instructions from the wranglers. This protects both you and the riders.