Dad, daughter die after running out of water on 100-degree hike, Utah rangers say

Two people died after getting lost on a hike and running out of water in 100-degree temperatures, Utah rangers reported.

A 23-year-old woman and her 52-year-old father, both of Green Bay, Wisconsin, were found dead at Canyonlands National Park on the afternoon of Friday, July 12, the National Park Service said in a news release.

Rangers began searching for the two, who had gotten lost while hiking the Syncline Trail in the Island in the Sky district, after someone texted 911, officials said.

Temperatures in the national park at the time exceeded 100 degrees, rangers said.

The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office and the National Park Service are investigating.

On Monday, July 15, the sheriff’s office identified the hikers as Albino Herrera Espinoza and Beatriz Herrera in a news release.

Canyonlands National Park, which is about a 240-mile drive southeast of Salt Lake City, covers 337,598 acres of “colorful canyons, mesas, buttes, fins, arches, and spires,” rangers said.

Beating the heat

When temperatures are extremely high, some people’s bodies can have trouble regulating temperature.

In some cases, people can experience heat exhaustion and have muscle cramps, nausea, weakness and cold or clammy skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

If heat exhaustion persists for too long, however, it can lead to heatstroke, the most serious form of heat injury. People experiencing heatstroke can have hot, red, dry or damp skin. They also can have a fast and strong pulse, and they can become confused. People should move indoors immediately and call 911 right away if they have symptoms.

If people choose to hike or be outdoors in dangerously hot temperatures, officials recommend the following tips:

• Carry and drink plenty of water and plan to replenish electrolytes.

• Eat twice as much food as normal and have salty foods on hand.

• Carry a first-aid kit.

• Pack essentials only.

• Bring a flashlight with spare batteries to hike during the cool evening.

• Spray yourself with water to cool down.

• Have a hat and sunscreen as protection from the sun.

• Have a whistle or signal for emergency use.

• Wear waterproof clothing.

This story was originally published July 14, 2024 at 12:53 PM with the headline "Dad, daughter die after running out of water on 100-degree hike, Utah rangers say."