The harsh and unforgiving terrain of Grand Canyon National Park claimed another life this past weekend, as a hiker from Colorado was found deceased on his tenth day of a river trip. The body of Patrick Horton, 59, of Salida, Colo., was discovered early Saturday morning, according to the New York Times. Park officials were alerted to the incident around 5:30 a.m. and subsequently located Horton at Poncho’s Kitchen, a site near river mile 137 along the Colorado River.
Horton's unfortunate passing is the eighth this year since July to occur in the national park, and it follows a spate of fatalities that has called attention to the inherent risks associated with remote outdoor excursions, his death, moreover, emphasizes the unpredictable nature of venturing into such wild spaces, where rescue and medical assistance may be hours, if not days away. Park authorities are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding Horton's death in conjunction with the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office, as reported by the FOX 10 Phoenix.
Horton was part of a private, self-guided group that had been traversing the Colorado River, an expedition that requires a coveted river permit obtained through a lottery system. This type of journey is undertaken by about 5,000 of the 27,000 annual river travelers in the Grand Canyon, based on figures provided by the Arizona Office of Tourism. The investigation into Horton's death is ongoing, and while a cause of death has not yet been released, it has been confirmed that he was on a non-commercial river trip when found by his hiking party.
