Hiker Death At Grand Canyon
Officials say a Canadian woman died while trekking on a path in the Grand Canyon National Park.
Melanie Goodine, 41, of Ottawa, Ontario, was hiking above Three-Mile Resthouse on the Bright Angel Trail on June 2 when the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center got reports of “a hiker in danger,” according to the National Park Service. After going to the Colorado River earlier in the day, Goodine was hiking out of the canyon.
Goodine “fell unconscious and witnesses attempted CPR” after park officials were alerted to her condition. Rescue workers arrived on the scene and attempted to resuscitate Goodine, but they were unsuccessful, and she died.
According to the National Park Service, the Bright Angel Path is the most popular hiking trail into the Grand Canyon. The trail is billed as a “excellent first trip into the canyon,” but all of the trails are steep and challenging.
Before hiking down to the Colorado River, hikers should consult a park ranger and check for information on inner canyon conditions. Due to the distance, elevation change, and extreme temperature changes, it is not recommended as a day hike.
The temperature where Goodine was trekking was roughly 95-104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Joelle Baird, a representative for Grand Canyon National Park. The National Park Service (NPS) issued a warning on Sunday that temperatures in the inner canyon could reach 106 degrees Fahrenheit.
“Visitors visiting the Grand Canyon should drink enough of water, relax in the shade during the hotter parts of the day, keep an eye out for symptoms of distress in their travelling companions, and dress correctly for the weather, which includes light-colored, loose-fitting clothes. The National Park Service advises against trekking from the rim to the river and back in one day “In a statement, the NPS noted.
The event is being investigated by the National Park Service and the Coconino County Medical Examiner.