As weary day hikers begin their uphill trek from Phantom Ranch, a ranger station nestled at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, Jeff Schwartz has become adept at spotting telltale warning signs. “You can tell by their salt-stained shirts and day packs that they’ve had a challenging hike. That’s when you know it’s time to intervene and prevent any potential search and rescue situations,” says Mr. Schwartz, a paramedic and backcountry park ranger who has been stationed at Grand Canyon National Park since 2012. With over a decade of experience on the trails, he knows exactly what to offer these hikers in need: a comfortable seat in the shade of the ranger’s office and perhaps a salty snack. “It’s truly amazing what a bowl of ramen noodle soup can do,” he remarks.
For those in truly dire circumstances, an impromptu overnight stay at the Ranch may be necessary. However, for everyone else, the bowl of ramen serves as a reset and an opportunity for a frank discussion about the journey back to the rim and its associated challenges.
This summer has proven to be deadly for hikers in the Southwest. Several deaths from apparent heat-related causes have occurred in recent weeks, including one at the Grand Canyon, one in Death Valley, and two at a state park in Nevada. The combination of extreme temperatures and increased park visitation has contributed to this alarming trend.
Grand Canyon National Park has always been one of the most popular destinations within the National Park Service, even before the pandemic sparked a renewed interest in outdoor activities. Spanning a million acres of rugged high desert in northern Arizona, the park attracts millions of visitors each year who are drawn to activities such as hiking, white-water rafting, and breathtaking views. However, during the summer months, the park teeters on the edge of comfort for the human body. Unlike Death Valley National Park, where visitation peaks during the winter, the Grand Canyon experiences its highest temperatures and peak visitation in June.
The park’s search-and-rescue team is among the busiest in the entire park system, responding to over 300 incidents annually and engaging in tens of thousands of visitor interactions aimed at preventing emergencies. While search-and-rescue incidents have been on the rise across the National Park system due to increased visitation in recent years, the scorching temperatures at the Grand Canyon have defied this trend. Thanks to focused efforts on preventing heat-related illnesses through staffing and aggressive messaging, the number of search-and-rescue incidents has actually declined from its peak in 1996, despite the influx of visitors.
In 2022, the National Park Service recorded 3,428 search-and-rescue incidents, which may involve helicopter flights and multi-day searches, incurring significant costs. However, this number is likely an underestimate as it doesn’t account for “agency assists” provided by entities like sheriff’s offices, which are often better equipped to respond in remote areas. If these assists were included in the statistics, the total number of incidents would likely increase by about 30%.
Although the internet has made it easier for visitors to gather information before embarking on outdoor adventures, the wealth of available information hasn’t necessarily translated into better-prepared hikers. One enduring misconception at the Grand Canyon is that the temperature cools as you descend into the canyon. Park staff often refer to the canyon as an “inverse mountain,” where hikers begin their journey with a long downhill stretch offering breathtaking views, only to encounter rising temperatures as they descend. By the time hikers reach the Colorado River from the South Rim, after a 10-mile descent via the Bright Angel trail or a shorter but more exposed seven miles via the South Kaibab trail, they have descended over 5,000 feet and entered an environment more akin to Phoenix’s scorching weather.
There is no denying that climate change is contributing to the surge in incidents, states Mr. Schwartz. “Whenever it’s sunny and over 95 degrees in the canyon, our emergency medical response and rescue calls skyrocket,” he explains. This July, which has been historically hot, not a single day has passed with a high temperature below 95 degrees at the halfway point between the rim and the canyon bottom. Nights at Phantom Ranch have seen low temperatures hovering around 90 degrees.
Mr. Schwartz oversees a team of rangers who work in rotating shifts, spending eight days on and six days off, patrolling the canyon and living out of backpacks. His team is always prepared for whatever challenges may arise. On the SAR (search and rescue) shifts, Schwartz remains mobile, driving around the South Rim and fielding phone calls to dispatch assistance ranging from providing snacks to hikers to coordinating medevac helicopter flights. During my visit in June, which happened to be a scorching day, a boater with a lower-body injury had to be airlifted from the canyon. Meanwhile, several day hikers unexpectedly found themselves spending the night at Phantom Ranch, a common occurrence during the summer.
The hikers Schwartz encounters at Phantom Ranch are often missing out on their hotel bookings and flights home. They may have anticipated fatigue and muscle cramps, but they are not prepared for hours of uncontrollable vomiting or even renal failure. The range of potential outcomes extends to permanent disability and death. “These are the risks we’re worried about when we engage with people down there,” Schwartz explains.
The provision of salty snacks by rangers is part of the park’s preventive search and rescue (P-SAR) strategy, which was developed after a devastating heat wave in 1996 led to numerous cases of heat exhaustion and fatalities. During that time, the park’s search and rescue team was overwhelmed with emergency calls, prompting a need for change. Park staff and volunteers now receive P-SAR training with the goal of ensuring that everyone safely exits the canyon. Meghan Smith, the P-SAR coordinator, explains that the aim is also to prevent any negative experiences that may discourage visitors from returning. “If people spend their day throwing up, they’re not going to want to come back, share their experiences with friends and family, or bring their grandkids,” she says.
Although only a handful of parks have dedicated P-SAR staff like the Grand Canyon, this approach is gaining attention. This year, a P-SAR symposium held at the park attracted staff from 31 other park sites. Several new P-SAR positions within the park system are expected to be created soon.
During my visit in June, I witnessed a group of seasonal and full-time employees undergoing multi-day training focused on serious rescue scenarios. As they practiced rappelling down canyon walls and maneuvering loaded stretchers back up to the rim, tourists passing by gazed in awe. Staff outfitted with harnesses and helmets adorned with wide-brimmed lids — affectionately called “SARbreros” — shouted instructions as they were carefully raised and lowered along the cliffside. These dedicated individuals are pioneering new search and rescue strategies, going beyond the traditional mantra of “drink, drink, drink.”
In conclusion, the Grand Canyon National Park has taken significant steps to address the rising number of search and rescue incidents by focusing on prevention, education, and outreach. The implementation of the P-SAR strategy, with its emphasis on visitor awareness, preparedness, and early intervention, has led to a decrease in incidents despite growing visitation. By providing hikers with vital information and supplies, rangers are making a tangible difference in ensuring the safety and enjoyment of park visitors.
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