Flooding can turn such canyons into deadly channels of fast-moving water and debris in just minutes.Ī sudden deluge of rain fueled the flood, which “went from a trickle to a wall” of water, park ranger Therese Picard said.Ĭoncerns about more flooding have prevented search-and-rescue teams from entering Keyhole Canyon to look for one hiker still missing. Known as a slot canyon, the passage is as narrow as a window in some spots and several hundred feet deep. ZION NATIONAL PARK, Utah - Seven hikers who entered a narrow desert canyon for a day of canyoneering became trapped when a flash flood filled the chasm with water, killing at least six of them in Zion National Park in southern Utah, officials said Wednesday. 'Nasty' NYC weekend expected as Ophelia delays travel, threatens flash floods Tropical Storm Ophelia swamps North Carolina, threatens more flooding and destruction Rain, flooding persist as Ophelia's remnants to soak NYC into Monday Three people were rescued.Sheep binge on 600 pounds of pot: 'They found green stuff to eat' Twelve bodies have been recovered and one child is still missing after families were swept away in flash flooding in Hildale Monday evening. This is the second deadly flooding in southern Utah. "We talked to some people before we went to Keyhole and said the weather is supposed to be bad today and they said, 'Hey we are going to take our chances, it will probably be bad tomorrow too,' and I think you just don't risk it, it can turn bad so fast," Skinner’s wife said. However, she said she won't go unless she is sure it's clear skies all day. ![]() Skinner's wife is preparing for her first canyoneering trip in Keyhole Canyon later this week. "If you are used to repelling or climbing down into water and now that water is moving you can get trapped under the water." ![]() "In weather like this it turns the canyon with stagnant water or still pool, into flowing water and that changes things dramatically," Skinner said. Skinner said part of the problem is Keyhole Canyon is known for beginners, but that doesn't mean it can't be dangerous given the weather conditions. "If it looks like the canyon is going to be too dangerous then we say, 'I think we should do something else.'" "It's not a sport without some risk, but I think you can significantly reduce that risk by being smart about the choices that you make," said Reed Skinner of Spanish Fork. Names of the victims will not be released until next of kin has been notified.įOX 13 News spoke with a man familiar with canyoneering at Keyhole Canyon. "With flash floods a lot of times you'll find people further downstream and that is the case," Baltrus said. "As search continues for the missing hikers, high water levels and continued rain showers pose further flash flooding concerns and have hampered searchers' access to the technical portions of the canyoneering route," officials said. ![]() Officials determined the group had not come out of the canyon when crews found their unoccupied cars at the trailhead Monday evening.Ĭrews started searching for the group Tuesday morning when the weather allowed. Rangers received a report of the group canyoneering in the canyon shortly before the flooding began. Park rangers say they were simply washed away. The group, four men and three women, all between 40 and 50 years old, were visiting from Nevada (1) and California (6). Keyhole Canyon is a short, narrow slot canyon on the east side of the park.Ī permit is required to enter and park officials said hikers must complete several short rappels under 30 feet and swim through several pools of water to get through it. 63 inches of rain fell between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m., Aly Baltrus said, spokeswoman at the park. ![]() The party of seven got caught in the rushing waters while canyoneering Monday evening. ZION NATIONAL PARK - The seventh and last person of the group in Zion National Park has been found dead after flash floods.
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