Latest news with #DennisSmith
New York Post
23-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Washington doctor Dennis Smith dies during Grand Canyon rim-to-rim hike at age 74
The National Park Service recently identified a hiker who died in the Grand Canyon last week as a beloved 74-year-old Washington state doctor. Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center staff received a report on May 15 of an unresponsive hiker on the North Kaibab Trail, about half a mile below the North Kaibab Trailhead. Dr. Dennis Smith, of Olympia, Washington, was attempting a rim-to-rim hike from the South Rim to the North Rim when authorities and friends said he collapsed on the trail. Though there is limited cell phone service in the canyon, the incident happened close enough to the top that they were able to call for a park service helicopter. Medics restarted his heart, but it later stopped again, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. His cause of death is under investigation by the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office, according to the park service. Fellow doctor, Tom Helpenstell, who worked with Smith for more than 30 years, told Fox News Digital the pair ran across the canyon when it was hotter, and he believes it was a 'freak' accident. 'I think it was 100 degrees or close to it, but he's really good about hydrating,' Helpenstell said. 'He's always drinking fluids. … He's way too smart to be pushing beyond his limits. I think this was just a freak thing.' 6 Washington doctor Dennis Smith died while hiking the Grand Canyon on May 15, 2025. Tom Helpenstell via Fox News After doing a short stint in the Navy, Smith, a former family practice doctor, became an orthopedic surgeon. He then started his own practice, Olympia Orthopaedic Associates, where he met Helpenstell in 1994. 'We worked together in the same office and assisted each other every Tuesday in surgeries for 30 years,' Helpenstell said. 'He and I have run across the Grand Canyon three times, doing Ultra Trail-type running. Probably two years ago, he decided not to do running [anymore], so he was hiking with a group out of Tucson, Arizona, where he spends the winters.' Before deciding not to keep running, the pair ran up Mount Whitney together, completed full Iron Man competitions and Olympic-distance triathlons together, and climbed Mount Rainier. 'He's super active, super fit,' Helpenstell said. 'This was not even a run, this was a hike. I don't want to downplay it. Grand Canyon's a big day, for sure, but this was completely out of the blue.' 6 Dr. Dennis Smith, of Olympia, Washington, was attempting a rim-to-rim hike from the South Rim to the North Rim when authorities and friends said he collapsed on the trail. Tom Helpenstell via Fox News 6 An aerial view of the Grand Canyon from a helicopter. Amineah – In addition to Smith's athletic feats, Helpenstell said he was highly respected in his community for his work in general orthopedics, where he did trauma, hip and knee replacements. 'He would jump in and take care of anyone at any time. Really, really great,' Helpenstell said. 'Within the surgeon community, we're the carpenters. … Even when he retired from his regular work [in 2021], he stayed on and took call for us and stayed up at night doing cases. He kept his hand in it, until just about a year and a half or two ago. He was an amazing man.' 'He read like crazy,' Helpenstell said. 'He was like an encyclopedia. We would always joke, we don't need Google, we have Dennis. He was really into health and nutrition, and what diets are the right ones to take, and what supplements. I mean, the guy was crazy about staying healthy. He had switched to playing pickleball because he thought it would make his brain learn new things, which would keep him from getting Alzheimer's or anything like that. He was more focused than anyone I know about staying healthy and living long, which makes this hard.' 6 Tourists watch the sunset from an observation platform overlooking the Grand Canyon in Tusayan, Arizona, on May 16, 2025. REUTERS 6 Smith ran up Mount Whitney, completed full Iron Man competitions and Olympic-distance triathlons, and climbed Mount Rainier. Tom Helpenstell via Fox News Smith leaves behind his wife, Evelyn, who would have celebrated their 50th anniversary on Sunday, and four children. He also leaves behind numerous grandchildren who he enjoyed hiking and running with. The NPS urged all visitors to Grand Canyon National Park, particularly those planning to hike or backpack in the inner canyon, to prepare for extreme heat. Park rangers strongly advise against hiking in the inner canyon during the hottest part of the day, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. 6 Smith started his own practice, Olympia Orthopaedic Associates in 1994. Olympia Orthopaedic Associates / Facebook Hikers and backpackers attempting rigorous distances, such as rim to rim, through the inner canyon, are encouraged to be self-reliant to prevent emergency situations for themselves and responders. 'Be aware that efforts to assist hikers may be delayed due to limited staff, the number of rescue calls, and employee safety requirements,' according to the park service.
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Health
- USA Today
'Completely out of the blue': 74-year-old dies during Grand Canyon rim-to-rim hike
'Completely out of the blue': 74-year-old dies during Grand Canyon rim-to-rim hike Dennis Smith of Olympia, Washington, was only a half-mile from the end of his 24-mile hike when he was found unresponsive. Park officials are warning about the dangers of the challenge. A Washington man considered to be an experienced hiker has died near the end of a 24-mile, rim-to-rim hike at Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, officials confirmed. Dennis Smith, 74, was found dead around 4:45 p.m. on May 15 after rangers received a report of an unresponsive hiker about half a mile below the North Kaibab Trail, according to the National Park Service. First responders and bystanders attempted to resuscitate him but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office is investigating the cause of death. The Olympia resident was known as an avid hiker attempting to make his way from the South Rim to the North Rim, the park service said in a May 19 news release. Smith was a former family practice doctor who served in the Navy for a brief stint and later became an orthopedic surgeon, according to FOX News. In 1994, he reportedly started a private practice known as Olympia Orthopedic Associates. Tom Helpenstell, a doctor who worked with Smith for over three decades, said the two would run long distances across the Grand Canyon, FOX News reported. "He's super active, super fit," Helpenstell told the outlet. "This was not even a run, this was a hike. I don't want to downplay it. Grand Canyon's a big day, for sure, but this was completely out of the blue." Park Service warns hikers about extreme heat Every year the National Park Service warns Grand Canyon hikers and backpackers to prepare for extreme heat, especially in the inner canyon, where temperatures could surpass 110 degrees. Last June, a 69-year-old man from Austin, Texas fatally collapsed on a Grand Canyon trail as temperatures in the area surpassed 90 degrees, the park service said. Officials said he was found semiconscious on the River Trail on June 30 but resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful. Just a few weeks earlier, a 41-year-old man was found dead near the bottom of the Grand Canyon, where he spent the night. Bystanders and park service personnel found his body on the Bright Angel Trail on June 16 but were unable to resuscitate him. "Hikers and backpackers attempting rigorous distances, such as rim to rim, through the inner canyon are encouraged to be self-reliant to prevent emergency situations for themselves and responders," the park service warns. Rim-to-rim hike a popular challenge For many hikers, a rim-to-rim hike of the Grand Canyon is a bucket list experience. At roughly 24 miles, it can be a challenging day for even the youngest and the fittest. Among the many people who've conquered the rim-to-rim hike are a number of adventurers in their golden years. In January 2024, A 92-year-old Spaniard named Alfredo Aliaga became the oldest known person to complete the feat. It took Aliaga 21 hours over two days to conquer the hike. Contributing: Amanda Lee Myers
Fox News
23-05-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Washington doctor dies during Grand Canyon rim-to-rim hike at age 74
The National Park Service recently identified a hiker who died in the Grand Canyon last week as a beloved 74-year-old Washington state doctor. Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center staff received a report on May 15 of an unresponsive hiker on the North Kaibab Trail, about half a mile below the North Kaibab Trailhead. Dr. Dennis Smith, of Olympia, Washington, was attempting a rim-to-rim hike from the South Rim to the North Rim when authorities and friends said he collapsed on the trail. Though there is limited cell phone service in the canyon, the incident happened close enough to the top that they were able to call for a park service helicopter. Medics restarted his heart, but it later stopped again, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. His cause of death is under investigation by the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office, according to the park service. Fellow doctor, Tom Helpenstell, who worked with Smith for more than 30 years, told Fox News Digital the pair ran across the canyon when it was hotter, and he believes it was a "freak" accident. "I think it was 100 degrees or close to it, but he's really good about hydrating," Helpenstell said. "He's always drinking fluids. … He's way too smart to be pushing beyond his limits. I think this was just a freak thing." After doing a short stint in the Navy, Smith, a former family practice doctor, became an orthopedic surgeon. He then started his own practice, Olympia Orthopaedic Associates, where he met Helpenstell in 1994. "We worked together in the same office and assisted each other every Tuesday in surgeries for 30 years," Helpenstell said. "He and I have run across the Grand Canyon three times, doing Ultra Trail-type running. Probably two years ago, he decided not to do running [anymore], so he was hiking with a group out of Tucson, Arizona, where he spends the winters." Before deciding not to keep running, the pair ran up Mount Whitney together, completed full Iron Man competitions and Olympic-distance triathlons together, and climbed Mount Rainier. "He's super active, super fit," Helpenstell said. "This was not even a run, this was a hike. I don't want to downplay it. Grand Canyon's a big day, for sure, but this was completely out of the blue." In addition to Smith's athletic feats, Helpenstell said he was highly respected in his community for his work in general orthopedics, where he did trauma, hip and knee replacements. "He would jump in and take care of anyone at any time. Really, really great," Helpenstell said. "Within the surgeon community, we're the carpenters. … Even when he retired from his regular work [in 2021], he stayed on and took call for us and stayed up at night doing cases. He kept his hand in it, until just about a year and a half or two ago. He was an amazing man." "He read like crazy," Helpenstell said. "He was like an encyclopedia. We would always joke, we don't need Google, we have Dennis. He was really into health and nutrition, and what diets are the right ones to take, and what supplements. I mean, the guy was crazy about staying healthy. He had switched to playing pickleball because he thought it would make his brain learn new things, which would keep him from getting Alzheimer's or anything like that. He was more focused than anyone I know about staying healthy and living long, which makes this hard." Smith leaves behind his wife, Evelyn, who would have celebrated their 50th anniversary on Sunday, and four children. He also leaves behind numerous grandchildren who he enjoyed hiking and running with. The NPS urged all visitors to Grand Canyon National Park, particularly those planning to hike or backpack in the inner canyon, to prepare for extreme rangers strongly advise against hiking in the inner canyon during the hottest part of the day, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Hikers and backpackers attempting rigorous distances, such as rim to rim, through the inner canyon, are encouraged to be self-reliant to prevent emergency situations for themselves and responders. "Be aware that efforts to assist hikers may be delayed due to limited staff, the number of rescue calls, and employee safety requirements," according to the park service.
Toronto Sun
21-05-2025
- General
- Toronto Sun
'Experienced' hiker, 74, dies while attempting 'strenuous' Grand Canyon trek
The North Kaibab Trail near Coconino Overlook at the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. Photo by Handout / U.S. National Park Service An 'avid and experienced' 74-year-old hiker died while attempting a 'strenuous' rim-to-rim trek at Arizona's Grand Canyon last week. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The U.S. National Park Service said in a news release Monday that the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report May 15 of an unresponsive hiker on the North Kaibab Trail, approximately a kilometre below the North Kaibab Trailhead. Dennis Smith, of Olympia, Wash., was pronounced dead at the scene after bystanders and National Park Service personnel tried to resuscitate the hiker. 'Known as an avid and experienced hiker, Smith's cause of death is under investigation by the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office,' the National Park Service said. Park officials urged all visitors to the Grand Canyon National Park to prepare for extreme heat in the coming days where temperatures in the inner canyon are expected to reach 38C by the end of the week. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. They advised hikers and backpackers avoid trekking between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., typically the hottest part of the day. 'Hikers and backpackers attempting rigorous distances, such as rim to rim, through the inner canyon are encouraged to be self-reliant to prevent emergency situations for themselves and responders,' the park service said. 'Be aware that efforts to assist hikers may be delayed due to limited staff, the number of rescue calls, and employee safety requirements.' RECOMMENDED VIDEO They encouraged hikers to keep up to date on current information of conditions in the inner canyon, including heat risk, weather forecasts, water availability and trail hazards. The park service describes the rim-to-rim hike as 'strenuous' and should only be attempted by those who have trained properly, adding the best time to go is between May and October. Read More Canada Canada Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs Columnists
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Washington man dies during grueling 24-mile hike at Grand Canyon National Park
GRAND CANYON, Ariz. – A hiker from Olympia, Washington, was found dead on Thursday afternoon during a hike at Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. Dennis Smith, 74, was discovered unconscious about half a mile below the North Kaibab Trailhead. Officials said bystanders and National Park Service personnel attempted to resuscitate Smith, but to no avail. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Known as an experienced hiker, Smith had set out to hike from the South Rim of the canyon to the North Rim, a rigorous 24-mile hike one way, according to the National Park Foundation. The cause of his death is under investigation by the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office. In the meantime, the NPS cautions Grand Canyon National Park visitors of the extreme heat forecast for the park ahead of Memorial Day weekend. Texas Hiker Found Unresponsive At Deadliest National Park Visitors who plan to hike the inner canyon, specifically, are warned that the canyon is expected to reach 100 degrees by the end of the week, so they should take appropriate precautions. Because of these extreme temperatures, officials recommend park visitors hiking the inner canyon to only do so during the cooler parts of the day, which is before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. Additionally, those attempting to hike particularly strenuous distances through the inner canyon, such as rim-to-rim, are advised to be self-reliant. Officials said this is to help avoid emergency situations for the hikers and first responders who would come to their aid. How To Watch Fox Weather They noted that attempts to help hikers might be delayed, as they depend on staff availability, the number of rescue calls officials receive and employee safety article source: Washington man dies during grueling 24-mile hike at Grand Canyon National Park
