Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon

Item # 761381

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This book features gripping accounts of all known fatal misadventures in the most famous of the World's Seven Natural Wonders.

Authors: Michael P. Ghiglieri and Thomas M. Myers
Softcover; 408 pages
Puma Press; copyright 2001

Two veterans of decades of adventuring in the Grand Canyon chronicle the first complete and comprehensive history of misadventures in the canyon. These episodes span the entire era of visitation from the time of the first river exploration by John Wesley Powell and his crew in 1869 to that of tourists falling off its rims today. These accounts of the nearly 600 people who have met untimely deaths in the Grand Canyon set a new high water mark for offering the most astounding array of adventures, misadventures and lifesaving lessons published between any two covers. Over the Edge is an intense yet informative book about the Grand Canyon.

Made in USA.

Item 761381

Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon Customer Reviews

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Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon

4.0

(based on 1 review)

Reviewed by 1 customer

Displaying review 1

Oct

2009

4.0

Going to GC? Read this first.

By Kick a Rock

from Louisville, KY

About Me Casual Adventurer

Pros

Blunt
Easy to read
Footnoted

Cons

Best Uses

Camping
Flying
Hiking
Parents

Comments about Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon:

An interesting summary of deaths at Grand Canyon by Park professionals. The book was most useful in planning a Grand Canyon trip, it pointed out all the classic pitfalls park guests put themselves into. The Canyon is dangerous and the beauty of the place tends to distract visitors.

Treat the Canyon with respect. If you don't carry enough water you'll get very ill and maybe even die. Ignore the signs of far off storms and you may find yourself in a muddy flash flood. Just check out the videos of Havasu Falls in 08, the popularity of the Falls meant plenty of cameras were rolling with the flood hit. Sometimes it seems like the difference between getting swept away suddenly is having a basic idea which way you'll run if the wall of water appears 200 yards ahead of you.

The book also covers historic deaths, which I thought was interesting. There are tales of murder in the book as well. A chapter on suicides was a bit unsettling, apparently a few people saw the end of "Thelma and Louise" and took the same plunge.

Perhaps most surprising were the overzealous operators of the commercial rafting companies that pushed on when one of the clients died. It was chilling how mercenary a few of the operators really were in keeping their fledgling companies profitable despite tragedies.

This book was grim but interesting. I'm sure it helped me plan my routes and contingencies better. The National Parks (and wilderness in general) are great, but they're not an amusement park. Take your survival (and your group's) seriously and enjoy the sights while you're there. No one wants to get lifted out by a $20,000 rescue effort or even worse in a wooden box.