Grand Canyon.Photo:Getty
Getty
An Arizona man had died whileattempting to hike a portion of the Grand Canyon, making him the 10th person to die at the national park this year.
James Handschy, 65, of Oracle, “was attempting to hike from the South Rim to the river and back” when he wasreported unresponsiveon Thursday, according to a news release from the National Park Service.
A personal locator beacon altered authorities to the emergency on the Bright Angel Trail around 1:30 p.m. local time. The trail is about 1.5 miles north of Havasupai Gardens.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing, and the Coconino County Medical Examiner is assisting.
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Handschy’s death is the second at Grand Canyon National Park in the last two months. In September, 55-year-old Ranjith Varma of Virginia died while attempting to hikefrom the South Rim to the North Rimof the Grand Canyon in a single day.
Ten people have nowdied at the national parkthis year, a spokesperson told the Associated Press. Multiple people have died on the same trail where Handschy’s death occurred on Nov. 16.
In February, a 56-year-old man from Wisconsin was found unresponsive on the Bright Angel trail below Havasupai Gardens. The victim was attemptinga day trip to the Colorado Riverwhen he died.
A woman also died on Bright Angel Trail in May. The 36-year-old victim was attempting tohike to the Colorado River and backwithin a day, as well, when she reportedly became unresponsive.
Nearly five million people visit the Grand Canyon each year, according to itsVisitor Center’s website. The National Park Service saysthe canyon coversmore than one million acres, or just over 1,900 miles of land.
Hikers are often warned of the dangers that can come with hiking portions of the Grand Canyon, such asextreme heatduring daylight hours. During peak months, park rangers encourage hikers to avoid the inner canyon between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the heat is typically the worst.
source: people.com
