Home / Disasters and Accidents / Zion National Park: Two Fatal Hikes in Under a Week
Zion National Park: Two Fatal Hikes in Under a Week
30 Apr
Summary
- Two hikers died within five days at Zion National Park.
- One fatality occurred on the dangerous Angels Landing Trail.
- A second hiker died while canyoneering in Spry Canyon.
Tragedy struck Zion National Park as two hikers died in separate incidents within a five-day period. The first incident on April 17 involved Gilberto Ramos, 68, who fell to his death while traversing the notoriously dangerous Angels Landing Trail. This trail is infamous for its sheer cliffs and requires hikers to hold onto chains along a narrow ridge.
Less than a week later, on April 22, a second fatality occurred when a 43-year-old man died while canyoneering in Spry Canyon. Although considered a more beginner-friendly route, Spry Canyon involves rappelling down cliffs up to 165 feet. Authorities confirmed this was an accidental fall, distinct from the extreme heights associated with Angels Landing.
Experts suggest that while such incidents are often true accidents resulting from errors in judgment, factors like rockfall and weather can also contribute. The park's stunning scenery, with cliffs soaring over 2,000 feet, presents significant challenges that require careful attention and respect for warnings.
