Sunrise at Desert View (Photo; Brian Lane)

May is the busiest month for backpacking into the canyon and this year is no exception. With fairly moderate temperatures and (usually) very little precipitation, plus the North Rim opening mid-May, people choose to visit the Inner Canyon during this month before the summer heat sets in. Beware though, the real heat is just around the corner and as temps reach into the nineties canyon explorers need to begin implementing proper "hiking-in-the-heat" strategies, such as being off the trail in the middle of the day when the heat is at its worst. So, please, stay out of the mid-day sun, rest often, drink plenty of electrolyte enhanced fluids, and eat salty foods while on the trail. Those are the things that save lives when the heat arrives (maybe we can make a safety jingle outta that little rhyming gem?!?).

Some Strange Occurrences Lately...

Man Jumps from Rim to Escape Rangers:
On the early afternoon of April 22nd, a 48 year old man named Terrance Black was asking people for money along the South Rim. A visitor soon reported the situation to the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center (GCRCC) and as rangers arrived at the scene the man refused to provide identification. He then fled from the ranger and jumped off the canyon's rim! It turns out he was wanted in Texas in connection with a murder investigation. Luckily, Mr. Black only sustained minor injuries as he dropped only 25 feet from the rim. A rescue team rappelled down, handled his injuries, handcuffed him, lifted him from the canyon, and transported him to Flagstaff Medical Center. He was later transferred to the county detention center to await extradition back to Texas.

Man Accidently Drives off Rim:
A few days later, on April 25th, a visitor reported an injured man in the road along Desert View Drive, South Rim. The 21-year-old man stated that he had accidently driven his car off the rim, self-extricated himself, climbed up the rim, and proceeded to flag down passing motorists. He was provided medical care for non-life sustaining injuries and subsequently released. The car was not located until the next day where it was found lodged against a tree, some 200 feet below the rim!

Woman Falls to Death on River Trip:
A few days after that, on April 28th, the GCRCC received a call from a Hatch River Expeditions commercial river rafting trip that 77-year-old Barbara Evert of Englewood, CO had died from a fall while on a guided side-canyon hike up from Rattlesnake Camp (around river mile 74). During this side excursion the victim had lost her footing and fell about 100-140 feet suffering head trauma. Park rangers accessing the scene via helicopter, pronounced her dead at the scene.

Man Falls to Death near Shrine of the Ages:
Then, on May 6th, the lifeless body of 24-year-old Robert Watson of White Plains, NY was recovered 700 feet below the rim. A car had been reported as possibly abandoned near the shrine and investigation revealed the vehicle was related to a missing person report filed in NY on March 21st. His body was found by a search team on April 25th. His demise has been ruled simply as "death by falling."

Other goings on...

Weather:
Temperatures have been keeping nicely comfortable with the Inner Canyon experiencing daytime temps mostly into the 80's and nights about 60 degrees. Plus, we actually had a mid-May storm that brought some unexpected, yet much needed rain (and even snow) to Northern Arizona. BUT, by month's end those temps will begin their inevitable climb into the over-one-hundred-degree range.

North Rim Opens:
The North Rim opened on May 15th for the 2011 season. All services are open at this time until the annual closure in mid-October, 2011.

Havasu Canyon Open for Business:
The beautiful blue-green waterfalls of Havasu are now open to visitors! Havasu Canyon had been closed due to last year's flooding and recently re-opened on May 1st.

Water Bottle Filling Stations Now in Use:
Water bottle filling stations have now been installed at six locations on the South Rim and are located at Bright Angel and South Kaibab Trailheads, Hermit's Rest, and at Grand Canyon, Verkamp's, and Desert View Visitor Centers. Others, on the North Rim are located at North Kaibab Trailhead, N. Rim Backcountry Office,  and at the N. Rim Visitor Center. The free spring-fed water is supplied via pipeline from the Inner Canyon at Roaring Springs.
 

Water Bottle Filling Station next to the bus stop
at South Kaibab Trailhead. (Photo: Brian Lane)

Folks Who Stopped by to Visit During Nat'l Park Week:
Thank you to all the folks that came by my book signing at Yavapai Geology Museum to say hi and chat about the canyon. It was a wonderful week to enjoy the canyon. Hopefully I'll get to do it again next year - and I hope to see you all again!

As always...
Hike Safe and Have Fun!

Brian