On the evening of Tuesday, July 21st, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call from the father of 20 year old Northern Arizona University student Bryce Gillies, reporting that his son was overdue from a hike into the Grand Canyon. Original details were sketchy since the young man did not have a permit to stay overnight in the canyon, and the number of missing hikers was unknown. The Nat'l Park Service (NPS) immediately began an extensive search effort for what was initially thought to be a group of three or four. It was reported that Bryce Gillies and others had left on their trip into the Thunder River/Deer Creek area of the canyon after reading about the excursion in a magazine.

By the next day (Wednesday) the man's car was found at the Bill Hall Trailhead, and upon contacting and questioning Mr. Gillies friends, it was determined that he entered the canyon alone. The search effort then focused on locating a lone backpacker in the Deer Creek/Thunder River area off the North Rim of Grand Canyon Nat'l Park using ground and aerial searches to try and locate the missing man.

On Friday personal items belonging to Mr. Gillies were found in the Bonita Creek drainage, including his backpack. Around 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 25th searchers found the body presumed to be that of Bryce Gillies off-trail at the top of a 100 foot pour-off type cliff along the Bonita Creek drainage about one-half mile from the Colorado River. It is likely that Mr. Gillies died of exposure, heat related illness, and dehydration; a common combination that has killed many a summer hiker at the Grand Canyon.

Bonita Creek (a usually dry creek) is the next drainage west of Tapeats Creek (a perennially flowing creek which is also fed by Thunder River). It is unknown at this time if Mr. Gillies became disoriented and followed a spur trail into Bonita Creek, since there are many small off-shoot trails in Surprise Valley (where the trail splits between Deer Creek and Thunder River/Tapeats Creek). or, if suffering from dehydration he knowingly attempted to hike directly toward water at the Colorado River, not knowing that water was only about a mile away at Thunder River.

If Bryce Gillies had gotten a permit (which would have cost about $25), NPS officials would have known his itinerary and could possibly have located him earlier. Plus, with a permit, the NPS would have supplied a description of the trails, along with water sources and potential hazards. Most trails outside of the Central Corridor Trails (Bright Angel, South Kaibab, and North Kaibab Trails) have LITTLE TO NO SIGNAGE at all (except for a trailhead marker). All trails outside of the Central Corridor are unmaintained, require advanced route finding skills, and it is up to the canyon hiker to know their own limitations - ESPECIALLY DURING TIMES OF EXTREME HEAT.

The brain is made up predominantly of water, so when hiking in the extreme heat of the canyon without enough water your brain begins to malfunction and you begin to make very bad decisions. At THE VERY LEAST one should carry a liter or more, per hour of hiking - including electrolytes - such as Gatorade). Without the proper amount of water and food one can quickly become overcome by the canyon's hot desert environment, and inner canyon temperatures at this time of year are about 100-115 degrees in the shade. Shade and/or water are few and far between, especially in the area where Mr. Gillies was hiking.
 
This is the second death at Grand Canyon this month. Condolences go out to the family and friends of Bryce Gillies for their loss.

Hike Smart or pay the consequences...
Brian