69-year-old man dies while hiking at Grand Canyon National Park amid extreme heat, park says

A hiker collapsed and died on a trail in Grand Canyon National Park over the weekend, as temperatures in the area soared to more than 90 degrees.

Scott Sims, 69, from Austin, Texas was attempting to reach Phantom Ranch for an overnight stay via the South Kaibab Trail when he collapsed and became semiconscious on the River Trail halfway between Silver Bridge and Black Bridge near Phantom Ranch around 7 p.m. Saturday, the National Park Service said in a news release.

While bystanders attempted CPR on him and tried to resuscitate him, he could not be revived and became unconscious. Three park service paramedics from Phantom Ranch responded to the scene and took over. CPR attempts were unsuccessful.

The Coconino County Medical Examiner and NPS investigating the incident and cause of death, NPS said.

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Trail temperatures can exceed 120℉, Grand Canyon officials say

Exposed portions of the Grand Canyon's trails, even in the shade, can exceed 120 degrees in the summer, NPS says. Park rangers encourage hikers to avoid trails in the inner canyon during the heat of the day, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Extreme heat can also hinder assistance to hikers, the NPS said, cautioning that "efforts to assist hikers may be delayed during the summer months due to limited staff, the number of rescue calls, employee safety requirements, and limited helicopter flying capability during periods of extreme heat or inclement weather."

Last month, a 41-year-old hiker who spent the night at the bottom of the Grand Canyon was found dead near the Phantom Ranch lodge, not far from where he overnighted at the Bright Angel Campground. While NPS did not specify the cause of the hiker's death, temperatures that weekend were in the high 80s and 90s.

The NPS has urged guests to exercise caution while visiting the Grand Canyon, especially during the hot summer months. Visitors and hikers are requested to check the weather before visiting any area and take precautions such as avoiding the sun as much as possible, staying hydrated and taking frequent breaks.

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How many people have died at the Grand Canyon?

The Grand Canyon has been found to be the third deadliest national park in the U.S., data gathered by the National Park Service shows. From July 2013 to July 2023, 136 deaths were reported in the Grand Canyon.

About 12 people die at the Grand Canyon every year, according to an unofficial tally by Michael P. Ghiglieri and Thomas M. Myers, authors of "Over the Edge: Death in the Grand Canyon."

Although Ghiglieri and Myers found that the leading cause of death in the canyon are helicopter and airplane crashes, deaths from environmental conditions like heat have been on the rise in recent decades.

At least 10 deaths were reported at the national park last year, including two at the Bright Angel Trail.

Contributing: Vivian Barrett, Coleby Phillips, Arizona Republic, Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY