GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, AZ — A hiker died from suspected heat exposure at the Grand Canyon this week.
National Park Service officials say they were called to the South Kaibab Trail around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday after receiving a call about a fatality.
Officials say the victim, 49-year-old Catherine Houe of Daly City, California, was hiking into the canyon to spend the night at Phantom Ranch. She reportedly became dizzy and disoriented, and stopped breathing, according to her family.
The high temperature on Wednesday at Phantom Ranch was about 114 degrees, and officials believe Houe’s death was related to the heat.
An investigation is underway.
Visitors to the Grand Canyon are urged to be prepared for extremely hot temperatures. Temperatures can reach more than 120 degrees in the shade, leading to serious health risks and death.
