Horseshoe Mesa seen from the top of Grandview Trail (photo: Brian Lane)

On Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 the body of a lone male, presumed to be that of missing hiker Andrew Brunelli was found by aerial searchers in a drainage off the Tonto Plateau. Mr. Brunelli, a 43 year old man from Clayton, North Carolina was first reported missing on the morning of Saturday, September 5th.

It was hotel staff at the Grand Canyon Inn, in Valle, Arizona (40 miles south of the park) that alerted the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) on September 4th that Mr. Brunelli had not checked out of his room as scheduled and personal items were still in his room. Workers reported that Mr. Brunelli was last seen at the hotel on August 30th, while the last known sighting of Brunelli was at 5:00 a.m. on August 31st, when he entered the park via the south entrance (Hwy 64). Further investigation revealed that Mr. Brunelli may have intended to go for a solo hike into the Grand Canyon.

Upon notification, the National Park Service (NPS) located the missing man's rental car at the Grandview Point parking area on September 5th. With no overnight permit and no other relative information to go on, the search initially focused on the more popular Grandview/Horseshoe Mesa/Hance Creek area of the Canyon, but to no avail, and some elements of the search were scaled back by September 8th.

As more information was received it was learned that Andrew had some previous experience day hiking the canyon. Investigators then found out from a co-worker that Mr. Brunelli may have been planning a more arduous hike during this trip. Provided that information, the NPS then broadened their search and rescue efforts beyond the original search area, (although the effort was still scaled back).

A park service helicopter crew spotted the body at 10:45 a.m., September 9th, in a drainage north of the Tonto Trail about two miles east of the South Kaibab Trail in the Pattie Butte vicinity (about 21 miles from Grandview Trailhead where his rental car was found). This area of the Tonto Plateau receives few summer visitors due to the long distances between reliable water sources, and can be difficult to navigate as the trail wends its way, up and down, across the drainages of Cremation and Lonetree (both usually dry) Creeks.

The body was retrieved via long-line operation (a fixed rope below the helicopter, as opposed to being hoisted up). The NPS and CCSO are conducting an investigation into the incident.

Inner Canyon temperatures continue to hover around the 100 degree mark, plus, this has been a DRY SUMMER in Arizona with very little precipitation during this year’s “Non-soon Monsoon.” Therefore, short-lived ephemeral springs or water sources should not be counted on to have water. Always check with the Backcountry Information Center for the latest information on water availability in Grand Canyon before embarking on wilderness excursions.

To the best of my knowledge this is the sixth death of a Grand Canyon hiker this year, none of these individuals had a valid permit. Please obey the law and get a permit for overnight visits into the canyon. It costs very little and provides the NPS with vital information if, for any reason, you are reported missing.

Hike Smart & Have Fun!
Brian