Rangers Conduct Two Similar Rescues In Middle Echo Canyon

On May 19th and 23rd, rangers responded to nearly identical rescues in Middle Echo Canyon, a technical canyoneering route located within the park.  Both parties had completed the technical portion of the route but were blocked from exiting the canyon by a 30-foot-high wall of ice and snow. Some members of one party were able to scramble out of the canyon near the snow wall, but the majority of the involved individuals were unable to make it out. Requests for assistance ensued and the SAR teams performed a series of 100-foot raises from the same spot in each incident. Nobody was injured, but some complained of minor hypothermia due to their lack of preparedness for the deep, cold-water wading required on this route. Members of one of the parties received citations for failure to obtain a permit and for creating a hazardous condition. The second rescue may not have been necessary if a required canyoneering permit had been obtained and current canyon conditions checked. Rescue in the canyons of Zion National Park is never guaranteed and always presents some degree of hazard to rescuers and victims. The second rescue team performed technical raises of victims after dark and with lightning in the area. The park has temporarily closed Middle Echo Canyon to recreational use due to visitor safety concerns stemming from these recent rescues and the similarity of the current conditions to those experienced in 2008.  Rangers will periodically check canyon conditions and will reopen it to recreational use when the snow and ice obstacles have melted out to a degree which is passable by canyoneers of average ability with standard canyoneering equipment. Canyon District Ranger Kevin Killian was IC for both rescues.