Flash Floods & Falls: Deaths & Rescues in Zion National Park

by Dave Nally, Bo Beck (Contributor)

Zion National Park is home to majestic and wondrous canyons, cliffs, crags, mesas, rivers, and slot canyons. World travelers remain in awe as they drive, walk, hike, and climb into such a unique place that is filled with vibrant, sacred, and mystical energy. Gradually becoming transfixed, many push themselves further into the wilds, oblivious to weather and dangers, deeper into the backcountry, suddenly finding themselves in extreme predicaments. These are the moments when accidents often occur. . .and these once beautiful, holy places become menacing and dangerous--sometimes leading to agonizing and horrific accidents--and even death!

Since the early 1900s there have been 70 recorded deaths that have taken place inside Zion's park boundaries. Hundreds of rescues of outdoor enthusiasts have ensued as well. This book covers all of those deaths, and many of the gripping rescues that have occurred during the past century. Bo Beck, a senior Zion Search and Rescue member for over 17 years, also shares his personal accounts. You will marvel at the riveting stories, and take away a better understanding of how to be smarter and better prepared for your next great adventure!

Genres: Nonfiction

260 pages, Paperback

First published November 3, 2013

Reviews

[Jackie Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book (a signed copy!) at the Arizona Gorging premier a week ago. Considering how Zion is my favorite National Park (that I've been to) and how I had my own too-close-for-comfort canyoneering adventure in Pine Creek recently, I was pretty excited about the win. I skipped to the section about gambling in the slots, zipped through that, and then read the rest from the beginning. I'm pretty confident that I know my abilities and can match them to canyoneering routes appropriately, so the grisly accidents in that section didn't haunt me too much. I know accidents happen, but I believe in the abilities of myself and my frequent partners. The section on flash floods was the part that got my heart racing a bit more since I have an immense fear of getting caught in a slot during an unexpected downpour. My Pine Creek incident was probably not as close a call as I feared, but I was deep in the depths of the slot with a bunch of (rather slow) newbies when a steady drizzle broke out of the slightly overcast skies. Despite checking with the rangers that morning and repeatedly monitoring the forecast (both of which predicted a 0% chance of rain), the rain did not let up. I'm pretty certain my fear will keep me from attempting canyons in similar conditions in the future (especially now that I know just how unpredictable weather is in the Zion area).

So, I enjoyed the book largely because I personally know many of the specific places discussed. I can picture the landscapes and the incidents and the rescues.

I would have liked to see slightly more careful editing and maybe a little more speculation/discussion from the authors (although they consciously chose not to include that). The book could have been more engaging and probably really deserves 3 stars, but I gave it four because it kept my attention and is written about a place I love.

[Milo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exhaustive chronology of the mishaps and fatalities in Zion National Park over the past 80 years. Co-written by my friend Bo Beck who is a world class outdoors man. Divided into chapters "slots, big walls. bizarre, etc". Should be a required read for anyone attempting the dangerous hikes/climbs/rappels in Zion.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very interesting. There were a few deaths I had heard of that weren't listed - maybe they are just urban legends? A few spots the author rambled a little too much about the history. Maybe the publisher said the book needed to be longer? Either way I enjoyed the insights and the summary at the end of each chapter.

[shan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource. I noted several problem spots of areas I intend to visit at some point. Zion is great!

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is more or less a list of tragedies and facts surrounding them in the park. Interesting because I have spent so much time there hiking and canyoneering.