Grand Canyon Deaths - Book

I have been river rafting down in the canyon three different times and thought oh I bet many boaters die from these big rapids.. NOT ... I hiked the Bright Angel Trail out............ and boy oh boy is it tiring and HOT HOT HOT.. which is how most of those who have passed have died.. from dehydration and Sun Stroke... When I was hiking out (beginning at 6am) so as to avoid some heat of the day (hahah) I would see casual hikers coming down the trail with about 8 oz of water.. some with none.. I was shocked.............. you simply cannot hike the desert without water..If they haven't posted signs yet, they should have ones that say BRING WATER............ DRINK WATER.. you'll be glad you did....

Wish I had bought the book on one of our trips there - but just didn't want to jinx our trip! Maybe one of these days I'll be able to get it...

...and, yes, there is a "Thelma and Louise" type of spot, but they won't tell you where it is! (I can hazard a pretty good guess tho!)

btw - the South Rim is the popular side, the North Rim takes a bit of driving to get there, but is usually less crowded ... and if you're really into hiking, hike (or ride the horses) the Indian side down to Havasupai Falls!

We just rode the Polar Express in Williams, we didn't make it all the way to the canyon, but close. I can imagine many of all 3 have taken place. Did it provide the number of deaths?

Yes, I believe it is called, "Death in the Canyon". My husband bought it and really enjoyed reading it. From what he said, most of the deaths involved alcohol, dehydration or stupidity. ie. sitting on a ledge, standing up, getting dizzy and falling, taking a shortcut that lead to very dangerous situations. When we were there a few years ago, people were actually letting their children SWING and play on the railings. It scared the bageebers out of me. You could tell the railings had been installed many years ago as they were not above the center of gravity for me, and I'm 5'4". And that it is, they are railings, not child proofing what so ever. Too many people think that they are God and that they are immortal...the canyon proves them wrong.

I haven't heard of such a book, I'd like to buy it. My dream has been to take my family and see the beautiful Grand Canyon. Thanks

Haven't read that book, but when I was there a couple of years ago, one of the rangers was telling me about how many people die in the park. He said the worst ones to deal with are a) suicides, especially when they do it in front of other people and b) when people don't watch their kids close enough and they go over the side in the areas with sheer drops. The man went on to tell about people who go past the railings and fall, and the ones who hike in without being fit enough or taking enough water. It's a gorgeous place, but actually deceptive...you can die quickly there if you're not careful. He told me the people who have to search, rescue, or retrieve bodies have a dangerous and difficult job.

No, I haven't read the book - but I would believe there have been a lot of deaths over the years...

snake bites, falls, suicides - yeah - I can believe that!!!

We still need to take our boys to the Grand Canyon. I've not been in YEARS!!!

Yes, have read most of it as my son bought it there at the Grand Canyon. The weirdest unsolved mystery to me were the 2 young 'hikers' found without shoes and very bloody feet, posed in a climbing position going up a cliff. It seems they died of dehydration. With a river below them? Very bizarre.