On June 27, 2015 there were several calls for assistance in Zion Canyon. There were three reports in The Narrows and two on the trail to Observation Point. Temperatures reached 108 degrees that day.
Two wilderness rangers completing their overnight hike of The Narrows on June 27, 2015 received a request for help around 11:0 am at the mouth of Orderville Canyon. A 13-year-old had suffered an ankle injury and was unable to hike out. One ranger stayed with the patient and sent the other ranger to notify Zion Dispatch.
Other rangers and SAR personnel were on the Riverside Walk completing a litter carryout for a lower limb injury in The Narrows. When the ranger reached the trailhead at approximately 12:45 pm, he notified the assembled team of the Orderville patient, and also a patient at Mystery Falls. Resources were reassigned and additional help was requested for the two rescues. The first group determined that there was no patient at Mystery Falls at1:15 pm, and the incident had self-resolved and continued onto Orderville. They reached the patient at 3:30 pmand floated her out on a pontoon raft, then transferred to the wheeled litter, and reached the trailhead at the Temple of Sinawava at 5:00 pm. The patient's parents declined medical transport.
On the same day at approximately 3:45 pm, Zion Dispatch received a call on the emergency line from a 21-year-old male. He was hiking the Observation Point Trail and had run out of water and needed more. The individual was advised it would be several hours before resources were freed up from other ongoing rescues to hike to his aid. He called back saying he was still moving and was below the summit and had gotten 10oz of water from other hikers but still needed help.
Once The Narrows rescue wrapped up at 5:00 pm, two rescuers were reassigned to hike up with water and Gatorade. While park staff was transitioning from a water to a trail rescue, another call came in for the assistance of a 52-year-old female having difficulty hiking down from Observation Point. The two rescuers added additional fluids for that patient.
They located both individuals, provided fluids and hiked out with them clearing at 1830 hours. Remember to bring adequate water, snacks and sun protection when hiking.