Zion National Park Sees 2 Deaths in 6 Days

Zion National Park has recorded a second fatal fall in less than a week, this time involving a solo canyoneer in Spry Canyon. Officials say the 43-year-old man from Hillsborough, California, was navigating the popular route on April 22 when he suffered what investigators describe as a short "low-level" fall. A rep for the Washington County Sheriff's Office said it's believed "rock scrambling was likely involved and may have led to the accidental fall."

Another group found him around 4:20pm and tried to resuscitate him; search and rescue teams arrived soon after, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. His name has not yet been released, but the man's family told authorities he knew the area and had visited multiple times. SFGate describes Spry Canyon as a three-mile beginner-friendly route for canyoneering, which involves hiking, scrambling, rappelling, climbing, and swimming.

His death follows the April 17 fatal fall of 68-year-old Gilberto Ramos of Laredo, Texas, from the north side of Angels Landing. Since 2022, visitors must have a reservation to hike the high-profile trail; SFGate notes his death is the first due to a fall since the reservation system was put in place. KSL reports he fell from a chained section of the trail.