Hiker Dies At Grand Canyon Of Heat-Related Illness
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A hiker died Wednesday of what's believed to be heat exhaustion at Grand Canyon National Park.
A 49-year-old Californian was hiking the South Kaibab Trail to Phantom Ranch to spend the night. Her husband says 4 miles into the trip she became dizzy, disoriented and couldn't breathe.
The high temperature at the bottom of the Grand Canyon was 114 degrees.
Park rangers have responded to many heat related problems since the park reopened trails below the rim at the end of May. On more than one occasion people had drank too much water and experienced hyponatremia.
Park officials recommend hiking early in the morning or in the evening, drinking plenty of water, and eating salty food to avoid hyponatremia.
About 12 people die each year at the park, and almost all the deaths are preventable.
