'Experienced' hiker, 74, dies while attempting 'strenuous' Grand Canyon trek

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An “avid and experienced” 74-year-old hiker died while attempting a “strenuous” rim-to-rim trek at Arizona’s Grand Canyon last week.

The U.S. National Park Service said in a news release Monday that the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report May 15 of an unresponsive hiker on the North Kaibab Trail, approximately a kilometre below the North Kaibab Trailhead.

Dennis Smith, of Olympia, Wash., was pronounced dead at the scene after bystanders and National Park Service personnel tried to resuscitate the hiker.

“Known as an avid and experienced hiker, Smith’s cause of death is under investigation by the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office,” the National Park Service said.

Park officials urged all visitors to the Grand Canyon National Park to prepare for extreme heat in the coming days where temperatures in the inner canyon are expected to reach 38C by the end of the week.

They advised hikers and backpackers avoid trekking between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., typically the hottest part of the day.

“Hikers and backpackers attempting rigorous distances, such as rim to rim, through the inner canyon are encouraged to be self-reliant to prevent emergency situations for themselves and responders,” the park service said. “Be aware that efforts to assist hikers may be delayed due to limited staff, the number of rescue calls, and employee safety requirements.”

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They encouraged hikers to keep up to date on current information of conditions in the inner canyon, including heat risk, weather forecasts, water availability and trail hazards.

The park service describes the rim-to-rim hike as “strenuous” and should only be attempted by those who have trained properly, adding the best time to go is between May and October.