An 83-year-old hiker, who disappeared in the remote and challenging wilderness of Grand Canyon National Park, was discovered alive following a rigorous overnight search through the rugged, fire-scarred landscape, according to officials on Thursday.
Gerald Guinn, a seasoned adventurer from Kanab, Utah, was located at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening. He was spotted about 2.5 miles from his last known location on the park’s North Rim by a helicopter team from the National Park Service, stated authorities from both the National Park Service and the Kane County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the sheriff’s office, Guinn went missing on Monday after he parted ways with his hiking companion during a brief trek that commenced around 12:30 p.m. They split up in an effort to find a historic item situated in a secluded section near the northeastern park boundary. Though his partner located the relic, Guinn failed to return. After several hours, the hiking partner notified authorities about his disappearance.
The sheriff’s office emphasized Gerald Guinn’s extensive outdoor experience, despite being 83 years old. (National Park Service)
Rescue teams from Grand Canyon National Park alongside Coconino County and Kane County Search and Rescue units dedicated the entire night to locating Guinn. Personnel scoured through the charred forest on foot, while drones, search dogs, and helicopters provided crucial aerial assistance to canvass the remote area, noted the sheriff’s office.
On Tuesday, investigators were able to narrow the search after receiving a cellphone ping from Guinn’s phone. When a National Park Service helicopter later spotted him, Guinn waved to the crew overhead, the sheriff’s office said.
A rescue team hiked about 1.5 miles to reach Guinn after a helicopter spotted him in steep, rugged terrain. (Kane County Sheriff’s Office)
The helicopter couldn’t land because of the steep, rugged terrain, so a Kane County Search and Rescue team hiked about 1.5 miles to reach him. Deputies said Guinn was in good spirits but was cold and unable to walk. Rescuers gave him water and warm clothing while deciding how to get him out safely.
With darkness setting in, a helicopter rescue was no longer an option. Instead, a paramedic was flown to the scene, and about 20 rescuers took turns carrying Guinn through the rough terrain in a rescue stretcher, clearing fallen trees and marking hazards along the way until they reached a nearby road around 1:30 a.m. — a day and a half after Guinn first set out on the hike.
About 20 rescuers took turns carrying Guinn through the rough terrain in a rescue stretcher, clearing fallen trees and marking hazards along the way, authorities said. (Kane County Sheriff’s Office)
Guinn was checked by emergency medical personnel and released, according to the sheriff’s office.
The National Park Service thanked Coconino County Search and Rescue and Kane County Search and Rescue for helping bring the search to a successful end.