A Virginia hiker died Saturday after losing consciousness while attempting to trek more than 20 miles in one day in the Grand Canyon, officials said.
Ranjith Varma, 55, was reported to have been lost on the North Kaibab Trail at around 2 p.m. when a hiker trying to move from the South Rim to the North Rim of the vast Arizona national park got lost. He died shortly after first responders received the call.
Varma, of Manassas, became unresponsive about a mile south of Cottonwood Campground after 911 calls were made and bystanders began performing CPR. The National Park Service said in a news release..
The agency said rescue teams arrived in Varma by helicopter, but special maneuvers were needed to allow rangers to provide preliminary life support.
“Attempts to resuscitate the climber were unsuccessful,” the NPS said in a statement.
He died near the North Rim, where he had hoped to finish his hike.
The Rim-to-Rim hike is a difficult 34-mile one-way hike.
“There’s no doubt about it: Hiking Rim-to-Rim in Grand Canyon National Park is a classic bucket-list adventure,” says the National Park Foundation. he advised. “But it’s no walk in the park, that’s for sure.”
The cause of Varma’s death has not been released, but the park service warned that during the summer, temperatures can reach more than 120 degrees in the shaded areas of the trail’s exposed areas.
Temperatures didn’t reach 90 degrees Saturday at Grand Canyon National Park Airport, a 25-minute drive from the South Rim.
“Park rangers strongly recommend against hiking inside the canyon during the hot hours of the day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,” the NPS said.
“Please note that efforts to assist hikers may be delayed during the summer months due to limited staff, the number of rescue calls, employee safety requirements, and limited helicopter flight capabilities during extreme heat and inclement weather.” please.”
An investigation into the death is ongoing with the assistance of the Coconino County Coroner.
Other deaths at the Grand Canyon this summer include a 33-year-old tourist who fell to his death from 4,000 feet in June and a 57-year-old woman who died in a 100-degree heat wave in early July. .
