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ZION NATIONAL PARK — Zion National Park has seen a dramatic increase in the number of search and rescue calls made so far in 2015, according to park officials.
The park reported it has responded to 57 SAR calls so far this year, compared to 32 SAR calls by the same point in 2014. The numbers represent a 78 percent increase.
Calls for emergency medical services have also increased 34 percent since last year, with a total of 175 calls received by July 6. On July 8 alone the park responded to three calls for carry outs from the Narrows, with a total of 16 EMS calls received during that week.
"It's increased an extreme amount," said Zion National Park spokeswoman Aly Baltrus. "I think more people are getting into canyoneering. We've also had great weather out here. But we've found that people need to be a little bit more prepared."
The majority of search and rescue calls are for incidents that are preventable, according to Baltus. Below are some of her basic tips for hikers to stay safe and happy while enjoying the outdoors.
Bring proper supplies
It is so simple that many people seem to take this advice for granted, but bringing enough water for your adventure is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself. Food and proper clothing are also key.
Baltrus stressed that hikers should prepare not only for what they want to have happen, but for situations where something goes wrong. She said that especially in the wilderness areas of the park, it can take hours or even a day or two for search and rescue teams to reach those in need of help.
Listen to your body
Hikers shouldn't be afraid of turning around before the end of the trail if they run out of supplies or aren't feeling well. Baltrus said the park has responded to instances where people have become stranded at the top of Observation Point because they simply ran out of water. She recommended that hikers pace themselves.
"We have had heat illnesses and people having heart issues and things like that — some of them don't make it," she said.
Know where you are going
It's also important for hikers to be confident in their map reading skills, have an understanding of the landscape and familiar with the route they are taking, in addition to taking their time while traveling. The most recent fatality in the park occurred when a group was slightly off trail, according to Baltrus.
"As they were kind of reading about their route they were actually making some assumptions that they were in a different location than they were, which led to the fall," she said. "That's a big one."
Pay heed to weather forecasts
The weather can also have a large impact on the safety of trails. Hikers should always check the day's forecast before embarking on an adventure. In particular, park visitors need to pay careful attention to flood predictions during Zion's monsoon season, which typically lasts from mid-July to September.
