PINE CREEK RESCUE INCIDENTS

1992-440 Zion (Utah) Rescue

On the afternoon of August 12th, four young Utah men attempted to descend into the Pine Creek Narrows utilizing a rope purchased from a hardware store. Because of the sheerness of the rock face and the numerous pour-offs, full-length climbing ropes, some climbing equipment and some expertise on their use are required for this descent. Despite their lack of all three, the group descended to the first pour-off, leaving a portion of their rope behind. At the second pour-off, three of the youths descended to the end of the now shortened rope, then dropped into a plunge pool. The fourth member decided not to take the plunge and was therefore able to retreat and report that his companions were unable to get out of the pool. Four rangers and a local climber responded, rappelled to the trio, demonstrated ascending techniques, and belayed the youths out of the canyon - their first ascent, conducted on vertical rock in the dark. The rescue operation was completed at 11:00 p.m. 

2001-157 - Zion NP (UT) - Rescue

Four visitors entered the slot canyon on Pine Creek around 1 p.m. on April 22nd. None of them had a wet suit, and the only descending gear they had with them consisted of two lengths of webbing. After passing the second rappel, they realized that they were not equipped to continue down the canyon. One person was able to climb back up the canyon and alert a ranger. The park's SAR team responded, and team member Bo Beck rappelled about 100 feet from the canyon rim to the stranded party. Each of the three people was then raised to the rim. There were no injuries. The leader of the group was cited for failing to obtain a canyoneering permit. 

2002-202 - Zion NP (UT) - Rescue – Pine Creek

The park's SAR team responded to a rappelling accident in the Pine Creek slot canyon at 2 p.m. on June 1st. A 51-year-old man had been descending a 100-foot rappel at the end of the slot canyon when he lost control and fell the final 20 feet to the ground. Rescuers reached the injured man at 3:30 p.m. and a park medic provided advanced life support (ALS). The patient was placed in a litter and an 800-foot guiding line system was used to raise him and an attendant 600 feet to the canyon's rim. He was then carried a mile to the main park road, then transported to a hospital in St. George. Doctors determined that he'd suffered a fractured left tibia, compressed lumbar vertebrae, and 2nd degree rope burns on both hands. Seventeen people were involved in the rescue, which concluded at 10 pm.

2002-388 - Zion NP (UT) - Rescue – Pine Creek

Park staff responded to a report of a rappelling accident in Pine Creek Canyon at 3:30 p.m. on August 11th. A 50-year-old man had been descending into the slot canyon from the north rim when he found that his rope end did not reach to the canyon floor. When he attempted to stop his downward movement, he turned upside down and rappelled off the end of his rope, falling 15 feet to the canyon floor. EMS personnel reached him at 5 p.m. and provided ALS. The man and an attendant were raised 100 feet to the rim. Rescuers got him to the trailhead at 9 p.m. He was taken by park ambulance to a hospital in St. George, where he was found to have fractures to four ribs and to his left femur in two locations. The leader of the five-person group was issued a citation for not having a canyoneering permit.

2008-731 - Zion NP (UT) - Rescue – Pine Creek

An injured hiker was rescued from Pine Creek Canyon in Zion National Park on Thursday evening, July 30, 2008. Kaitlyn Bohlin, 23, of Northfield, Illinois, fell approximately 100 feet during the last rappel in the popular canyoneering area. She suffered multiple injuries and was transported by helicopter to the University Medical Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The cause of the fall is under investigation.

Bohlin, a backcountry volunteer in Zion, was canyoneering with a friend on her day off in Pine Creek Canyon, a route that she had completed in the past. The fall occurred at approximately 2:45 p.m. as she was preparing to do the final rappel of the route. Bohlin's canyoneering companion immediately contacted Zion Dispatch using Bohlin's park radio. Responding paramedic rangers rappelled from a window in the Zion Tunnel to reach Bohlin, who was being cared for by another canyoneering group in the canyon. Due to the location of the accident and the nature of Bohlin's injuries, it was decided to request assistance from the U.S. Air Force Rescue group stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas.

Once the paramedic rangers arrived on scene, Bohlin was secured, placed in litter, and carried about ¼ mile to an area in the canyon where the Air Force Blackhawk helicopter could safely lift her and the medics by a cable into the hovering craft. She was then transported via helicopter to the University Medical Center in Las Vegas.

Zion National Park Superintendent Jock Whitworth and staff would like to express their hopes and concerns for Kaitlyn and her family.

While canyon hiking (canyoneering) in Zion can be a challenging and rewarding activity, it is not one that should be entered into lightly. At least one member of each party should be experienced in canyoneering and the use of any required technical equipment. Hikers should also be aware of weather conditions and the possibility of flash floods. By entering into a narrow canyon, visitors take safety as their own responsibility. All persons canyoneering in the park should talk to qualified park staff before their hike. Some canyon hikes in the park (including Pine Creek) require advance permits. For more information on canyoneering in Zion, contact the park at 435-772-3256 or visit the park website at www.nps.gov/zion.