58-year-old hiker dies on popular hiking trail in Arches National Park, officials say
A woman died while hiking the most popular trail in Arches National Park in the late afternoon heat, officials said.
National Park Service officials “responded to a report of CPR in progress on Delicate Arch Trail” in the Utah park on Tuesday, Aug. 20, the agency said in a news release.
Officials didn’t say who gave the woman CPR, but their “efforts were unsuccessful” and the 58-year-old from St. George, Utah, was pronounced dead on the trail, the agency said.
The Grand County Sheriff’s Office and the National Park Service are investigating and did not release further information, including her name.
Arches National Park has more than 2,000 stone arches, and Delicate Arch is the largest free-standing arch in the park. It “has become a widely recognized symbol of the state of Utah and one of the most famous geologic features in the world.”
Officials recommend avoiding the strenuous Delicate Arch Trail during midday summer heat, according to the trail’s NPS webpage.
The 3-mile trail “climbs up a steep slickrock slope with no shade and some exposure to heights,” and there’s no drinking water at the trailhead, officials said.
Temperatures in Moab, where the trail is located, reached a high of 99 degrees on Aug. 20, according to AccuWeather.
The park is about a 230-mile drive southeast from Salt Lake City.
Beating the heat
When temperatures are extremely high, some people’s bodies can have trouble regulating temperature.
In some cases, people can experience heat exhaustion and have muscle cramps, nausea, weakness and cold or clammy skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
If heat exhaustion persists for too long, however, it can lead to heatstroke, the most serious form of heat injury. People experiencing heatstroke can have hot, red, dry or damp skin. They also can have a fast and strong pulse, and they can become confused. People should move indoors immediately and call 911 right away if they have symptoms.
If people choose to hike or be outdoors in dangerously hot temperatures, officials recommend the following tips:
Carry and drink plenty of water and plan to replenish electrolytes.
Eat twice as much food as normal and have salty foods on hand.
Carry a first-aid kit.
Pack essentials only.
Bring a flashlight with spare batteries to hike during the cool evening.
Spray yourself with water to cool down.
Have a hat and sunscreen as protection from the sun.
Have a whistle or signal for emergency use.
Wear waterproof clothing.
This story was originally published August 21, 2024 at 5:21 PM with the headline "58-year-old hiker dies on popular hiking trail in Arches National Park, officials say."
