Hiking in the Grand Canyon Turns Fatal After 55-Year-Old Virginia Resident Tries to Scale It in a Day

A thrilling hiking journey led to a catastrophic outcome in the Grand Canyon. The 55-year-old man from Virginia lost his life while hiking from South Rim to North Rim, covering 21 miles in a single day. The hiker, identified as Ranjith Varma, lost consciousness while hiking on the North Kaibab Trail of the National Park.   

The Grand Canyon Regional Communications was alerted about the incident through an emergency call. The park officials claimed that even after efforts from both rangers and bystanders to revive him, all attempts failed. 

Over-ambitious hike claims life in difficult terrain

The actual cause behind Varma’s death during the hike is not known yet. However, the exhaustion caused by the massive distance between the two rims might be one of the reasons. It requires 12 to 15 hours in order to cover the entire stretch. In this case, both distance and his age may have been responsible for his demise.

Considering Varma was on the last leg of the hike, it appears his body gave up with the prolonged hiking in the rugged landscape. Grand Canyon tops the list of every hiker with its rigorous topography and each section having unique elevation. 

Joelle Baird, the public affairs specialist for the National Park Service, said, “It definitely is a tragic circumstance. No one comes to the Grand Canyon thinking something like this would occur to them.” Aiming to complete the entire hike within a day takes a lot of preparedness and physical conditioning. 

High temperature creates hostile conditions for hiking

Heatwaves are ravaging all across the US states, affecting 425 national parks, including the Grand Canyon. The breathtaking beauty poses a threat to hikers if exposed for a longer period. Susceptible to over 120 degrees Fahrenheit, these temperatures are detrimental to health.

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The park officials have issued an advisory to refrain from hiking the inner canyon from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The temperature was as high as 100 degrees on the day Varma died.

The high temperature also hinders the swift flow of medical assistance. Abiding by the employee safety requirements, the staff is limited. Also, extreme heat limits the flying capability of the helicopter, causing delays in emergency rescue service. Hence, hikers should first acclimatize themselves to such harsh weather conditions, or avoid hiking altogether at such times.    

The NPS, in partnership with the Coconino County Medical Examiner, is conducting the investigation. Meanwhile, the incident reinforces the essentiality of respecting the surrounding nature. It also reflects the unpredictable nature of outdoor adventures. It makes it crucial to understand the risks associated with these hikes. 

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