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Daily Mirror
29-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Harrowing final diary entries of off-grid man who starved to death in the wild
In 1992, Chris McCandless ventured into the Alaskan wilderness, where he tragically died five months later, his emaciated body found wrapped in a sleeping bag inside an abandoned bus April 1992 saw Chris McCandless, a young man driven by wanderlust, embark on a treacherous trek into the unforgiving Alaskan wilds. Regrettably, just five months later, his life came to a grim end at just 24 years old. His body was discovered in a decrepit bus, curled up in a sleeping bag and weighing just 30kg (4st 7lbs) – starvation cited as the cause. Known to some as Alexander Supertramp, McCandless documented his diminishing plight in a diary, detailing his reliance on what he could hunt and forage – from critters to roots and seeds. Jon Krakauer captured his poignant tale in 'Into The Wild', which also inspired a hit movie. Back in Fairfax, Virginia, where he grew up, Chris was remembered as a gifted student and runner, with his high school mentors noting his originality, once remarking he "marched to the beat of a different drummer", as reported by The Daily Star. After bagging a history and anthropology degree from Emory University in 1990, he donated $24,000 to charity OXFAM and spent the following couple of years toggling between jobs and hiking escapades, reports the Mirror US. In 1992, loaded with only the essentials and after ditching most of his personal items, he caught a lift towards Fairbanks, Alaska's gateway, before stepping foot into its relentless wilderness. His diaries, peppered with snapshots, show his journey across the snowy Stampede Trail and how he stumbled upon an obsolete bus near Denali National Park – his final dwelling place. He eked out an existence on small game such as squirrels, birds, and rabbits, alongside foraged roots and seeds, fully embracing his time in the wild. However, McCandless's bushcraft stumbled when he poached a moose in June, but unfortunately failed at preserving its meat, leading to rapid spoilage. His misfortunes worsened in July as he tried to leave the wilderness but he was thwarted by the impassable Teklanika River which had swollen considerably, compelling him to retreat to the relative security of his refuge - the bus. Anxious about his survival, McCandless left a desperate plea for help outside the vehicle: "Attention Possible Visitors. S.O.S. I need your help. I am injured, near death, and too weak to hike out. I am all alone, this is no joke. In the name of God, please remain to save me. I am out collecting berries close by and shall return this evening. Thank you, Chris McCandless. August." Yet, fatefully, no one responded to his urgent plea. McCandless's poignant tale documents 113 days cut off from the world, with his penultimate note on day 107 exulting "BEAUTIFUL BLUE BERRIES." In the subsequent days, his calendar was ominously marked by slashes until the 113th day, which stood out for its eerie emptiness. The enigmatic details only deepen the mystery that surrounds this young explorer's demise. Among his last actions, he took a self-portrait holding up a message which read: "I HAVE HAD A HAPPY LIFE AND THANK THE LORD. GOODBYE AND MAY GOD BLESS ALL!". Moose hunters came upon his remains and personal notes on September 6. The harrowing tale of Chris McCandless has long been shrouded in mystery. The intrepid explorer's tragic demise in the Alaskan wilderness has puzzled many, with the cause of his death a topic of ongoing debate. McCandless, an experienced adventurer, had been living off the land for several months before his death, with his diary entries revealing a daily struggle to hunt and forage for food. Yet, despite his evident resourcefulness, McCandless's body was discovered weighing a mere 67 pounds, sparking intense speculation about the circumstances surrounding his passing. Renowned author Jon Krakauer has dedicated considerable time to unravelling the enigma of McCandless's death. Krakauer's book, 'Into the Wild', chronicled McCandless's journey and probed the possible reasons behind his tragic end. Krakauer initially posited that wild potato seeds, which McCandless had consumed in large quantities, were the primary cause of his death. Krakauer hypothesised a toxic alkaloid within the seeds had severely debilitated McCandless, rendering him incapable of sustaining himself through hunting and gathering. However, this theory was later disputed when laboratory tests failed to detect the presence of any toxic compounds in the seeds. Undeterred, Krakauer continued to investigate, and his persistence has led to a new theory. Researcher Ronald Hamilton has proposed that the wild potato seeds did, in fact, contribute to McCandless's demise, albeit not due to toxic alkaloids. Hamilton's research revealed that McCandless's meagre diet and malnutrition had left him vulnerable to a rare but debilitating condition known as "lathyrism". This condition, often found in malnourished young men, gradually paralyses its victims, rendering them incapable of carrying out even the most basic tasks. Krakauer is now a proponent of Hamilton's theory, which provides a plausible explanation for McCandless's tragic demise. The case serves as a poignant reminder of the unforgiving nature of the wilderness and the devastating consequences of malnutrition. Despite the progress made in understanding McCandless's death, the incident remains a sobering reminder of the perils faced by adventurers who venture into the unknown. As the allure of the wilderness continues to captivate explorers worldwide, the story of Chris McCandless serves as a cautionary tale, underscoring the importance of meticulous planning, preparation, and respect for the unforgiving power of nature. Lathyrism is triggered by an amino acid found in certain legumes, a devastating discovery originally linked to wild grass pea seeds. When Krakauer sent off the wild potato seeds to a chemist, it was confirmed they harboured the harmful amino acid responsible for lathyrism. After his passing, the converted bus that served as Christopher McCandless's last abode turned into a legendary spot for adventurers. Now known as "The Magic Bus", it bears a plaque commemorating McCandless, lovingly installed by his father, Walt. In a significant move in September 2020, the bus found a new home at the Museum of the North at the University of Alaska, receiving restoration and its own dedicated exhibit. Emile Hirsch took on the role of McCandless in 2007's cinematic homage 'Into The Wild', enduring mountain climbs, braving frigid river waters in the nude, and coming face-to-face with a towering grizzly bear. Director Sean Penn felt compelled to bring the story to life on-screen after devouring Krakauer's book. "I ended up reading it cover to cover, nonstop, twice - the first time realising it was a movie and the second time affirming it," he admitted. Penn sought out Krakauer, who facilitated a meeting with McCandless' family - parents Walt and Billie, alongside sister Carine. His family approached the idea of a film with caution, wary of reawakening their grief, but over a decade later, they embraced the film adaptation. While McCandless has been celebrated by some for his audacious pursuit of adventure, others have condemned his ventures as reckless and negligent. Park Ranger Peter Christian delivered a biting critique: "When you consider McCandless from my perspective, you quickly see that what he did wasn't even particularly daring, just stupid, tragic, and inconsiderate." He highlighted the lack of survival skills displayed by McCandless: "First off, he spent very little time learning how to actually live in the wild. He arrived at the Stampede Trail without even a map of the area. If he had a good map he could have walked out of his predicament." Christian was blunt about the tragedy that ensued: "Essentially, Chris McCandless committed suicide." In contrast, ranger Ken Ilgunas gave an alternate view in The McCandless Mecca: "McCandless, of course, did not commit suicide. He starved to death, accidentally poisoned himself, or a combination of the two." Jon Krakauer, author of the renowned story, came to McCandless' defence stating: "In 1992, however, there were no more blank spots on the map - not in Alaska, not anywhere." Krakauer relayed McCandless' unconventional thinking: "But Chris, with his idiosyncratic logic, came up with an elegant solution to this dilemma: He simply got rid of the map. In his own mind, if nowhere else, the terra would thereby remain incognita."
Irish Daily Mirror
29-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Chilling final days of man who staved to death in bus paralysed by seeds
In April 1992, Chris McCandless, a self-proclaimed adventurer embarked on a dangerous odyssey into the wilds of Alaska. Sadly, five months on, the 24-year-old was discovered dead, his body in a sleeping bag in an empty bus. His emaciated frame weighed just 30kg (67 lbs), with starvation cited as the cause of death. Known to some as Alexander Supertramp, McCandless detailed his dying days in a diary, noting subsistence on hunted game, plant roots, and seeds. His poignant tale was captured for posterity by Jon Krakauer in the celebrated book 'Into The Wild', which subsequently inspired a hit movie. Back in Fairfax, Virginia, McCandless was not only academic and athletic but also known for his nonconformity - his high school teachers noted he "marched to the beat of a different drummer", as reported by The Daily Star. Graduating from Emory University in 1990 with honours in history and anthropology, he donated $24,000 to OXFAM and over the next two years switched between work and adventure treks, reports the Mirror US. By 1992, divesting himself of nearly all his belongings and equipped with meagre provisions, he hitched northwards to Fairbanks, Alaska, beginning his fateful march into the wild. His diaries, peppered with photos, document his passage down the snowy Stampede Trail until he happened upon a deserted bus close to Denali National Park, which became his makeshift home. He survived on small game such as squirrels, birds, and rabbits while also foraging for roots and seeds, seemingly embracing his wild adventure. However, McCandless's survival know-how took a knock when in June he illegally hunted a moose and failed to adequately preserve its meat, leading to it spoiling. In a tragic twist by July, as he tried venturing back to civilisation, the swollen Teklanika River blocked his path, forcing him to retreat to the relative safety of his bus. Under dire circumstances, he scrawled an SOS message outside the bus: "Attention Possible Visitors. S.O.S. I need your help. I am injured, near death, and too weak to hike out. I am all alone, this is no joke. In the name of God, please remain to save me. I am out collecting berries close by and shall return this evening. Thank you, Chris McCandless. August." Sadly, his plea went unheard. McCandless's journey spanned 113 days alone, with his penultimate entry on day 107 jubilantly noting "BEAUTIFUL BLUE BERRIES." The following day entries were marked with foreboding slashes until the chilling emptiness of day 113. The enigma deepens regarding the young explorer's untimely demise. Capturing one of his final moments, McCandless took a self-portrait holding a note reading: "I HAVE HAD A HAPPY LIFE AND THANK THE LORD. GOODBYE AND MAY GOD BLESS ALL!". His remains and diary entries were eventually found by moose hunters on September 6. In a poignant twist, McCandless, lacking a detailed map, was oblivious to a nearby abandoned cable car system that could have facilitated his river crossing, a point where he had previously turned back. The mystery surrounding his demise deepened, as it remained unclear why this physically capable explorer succumbed to starvation, despite his daily endeavors to hunt and forage for sustenance. Jon Krakauer, author of a book on McCandless, proposed an alternative explanation for his death, suggesting it was not starvation, but rather the consumption of wild potato seeds that proved fatal. According to Krakauer, McCandless's journals revealed that he had eaten a substantial quantity of these seeds, leading him to surmise that toxic alkaloids present within them had incapacitated McCandless to the point of being unable to sustain himself. However, this hypothesis encountered a hurdle, as most guidebooks categorize wild potatoes as non-toxic. Undeterred, Krakauer submitted the seeds for analysis by a scientist, but no toxic alkaloids were found. Krakauer now supports a medical paper authored by researcher Ronald Hamilton, which posits that the wild potato seeds did, in fact, contribute to McCandless's demise, albeit not due to toxic alkaloids. Hamilton's findings indicate that McCandless's meagre diet and malnutrition had rendered him susceptible to a rare yet debilitating condition prevalent among malnourished young men, known as "lathyrism", which progressively paralyses its victims. Lathyrism is triggered by ingesting an amino acid first found in the seeds of wild grass peas. Krakauer dispatched some wild potato seeds to a chemist, who verified that the seeds contained the amino acid responsible for lathyrism. After his demise, the converted bus where McCandless spent his last moments became an iconic destination for trekkers. Known as "The Magic Bus", it sports a commemorative plaque from McCandless's father, Walt. In September 2020, the bus was moved to the Museum of the North at the University of Alaska, where it underwent restoration and became part of an exhibit. In the 2007 cinematic rendition, Into The Wild, Emile Hirsch steps into the shoes of McCandless. For the role, Hirsch undertook mountain climbing, braved a dip in frigid 35-degree river water, and came within a hair's breadth of an 8ft grizzly bear. Director Sean Penn felt compelled to bring the film to life immediately after devouring Krakauer's book. "I ended up reading it cover to cover, nonstop, twice - the first time realising it was a movie and the second time affirming it," he confessed. Penn reached out to Krakauer, who introduced him to McCandless' parents, Walt and Billie, and his sister Carine. Initially reluctant, the family did not wish to reopen old wounds with a film about McCandless' heartrending story, but they eventually consented nearly ten years later, allowing the film to proceed. While some laud McCandless for his adventurous spirit, there are those who deem his actions reckless and negligent. Park Ranger Peter Christian didn't hold back in his critique: "When you consider McCandless from my perspective, you quickly see that what he did wasn't even particularly daring, just stupid, tragic, and inconsiderate." He pointed out McCandless' glaring oversight: "First off, he spent very little time learning how to actually live in the wild. He arrived at the Stampede Trail without even a map of the area. If he had a good map he could have walked out of his predicament." Christian starkly concluded: "Essentially, Chris McCandless committed suicide." Contrastingly, another ranger Ken Ilgunas gives an alternate viewpoint in The McCandless Mecca: "McCandless, of course, did not commit suicide. He starved to death, accidentally poisoned himself, or a combination of the two." The author behind the famous narrative, Jon Krakauer defends McCandless' actions: "In 1992, however, there were no more blank spots on the map - not in Alaska, not anywhere." Krakauer shares insight into McCandless' thought process: "But Chris, with his idiosyncratic logic, came up with an elegant solution to this dilemma: He simply got rid of the map. In his own mind, if nowhere else, the terra would thereby remain incognita."
Daily Record
29-05-2025
- Daily Record
Horrifying last days of off-grid man paralysed by seeds as he starved to death
In April 1992, Chris McCandless set out on a perilous journey into Alaska's harsh wilderness, but just five months later the 24-year-old was found dead, wrapped in a sleeping bag inside an abandoned bus In April 1992, Chris McCandless embarked on what became a fateful adventure into the wilds of Alaska, driven by his love for exploration. His story turned to tragedy when, five months later, he was discovered lifeless at age 24, his frail body weighing just 30kg (4st 7lbs), wrapped in a sleeping bag inside a derelict bus - death by starvation being the grim verdict. Famously known as Alexander Supertramp, McCandless documented his struggle for survival through journal entries that spoke of subsisting on game, local flora, and seeds. His poignant tale of determination and hardship was later immortalised in Jon Krakauer's novel 'Into The Wild', which subsequently inspired a renowned feature film. Back home in Fairfax, Virginia, McCandless had been an exceptional student and athlete; his high school teachers remembered his individuality, observing how he "marched to the beat of a different drummer", as noted by The Daily Star. Following his graduation from Emory University with honours in history and anthropology in 1990, he donated $24,000 to OXFAM, embracing two years filled with intermittent employment and passionate hiking odysseys, reports the Mirror US. McCandless's final journey began in 1992 with only essential supplies after giving away most of his personal belongings. He hitchhiked to Fairbanks, Alaska, before heading off into the wilderness. His journals featured snapshots of his experiences trekking through the snowy Stampede Trail and detailed his discovery of an isolated bus near Denali National Park, which became his base. He subsisted on small game such as squirrels, birds, and rabbits, in addition to foraged roots and seeds, seemingly embracing his wilderness adventure. However, in June, McCandless's ability to survive took a hit when he illegally hunted a moose but was unable to preserve the meat, leading it to spoil. In a devastating turn of events, come July, when McCandless tried to return to civilisation, he found himself blocked by the swollen Teklanika River, which forced him to retreat back to the security of his bus shelter. In desperation and fearing for his life, he erected an SOS sign outside the bus: "Attention Possible Visitors. S.O.S. I need your help. I am injured, near death, and too weak to hike out. I am all alone, this is no joke. In the name of God, please remain to save me. I am out collecting berries close by and shall return this evening. Thank you, Chris McCandless. August." Unfortunately, his plea for help remained unanswered. McCandless's poignant tale details 113 days of solitary existence, with his last written entry on day 107 noting the joy of "BEAUTIFUL BLUE BERRIES." The subsequent days were disturbingly recorded with just slashes until day 113, which chillingly ended without any mark. As new information surfaces, the enigma surrounding the tragic conclusion of this young explorer grows. One of his final gestures was taking a self-portrait with a message declaring: "I HAVE HAD A HAPPY LIFE AND THANK THE LORD. GOODBYE AND MAY GOD BLESS ALL!". His body, alongside his personal diaries, was eventually found by moose hunters on September 6. In a tragic twist of fate, McCandless, who did not possess an intricate map, was oblivious to a nearby abandoned cable car system that could have helped him cross the river where he had previously turned back. This added another layer of mystery to why this physically fit adventurer died from starvation despite his daily attempts to hunt and gather. Author Jon Krakauer postulated in his book that McCandless's death was not due to starvation but rather the consumption of wild potato seeds. McCandless's journals showed he ate a considerable amount of these seeds, which led Krakauer to suspect that a toxic alkaloid within them weakened him so severely that he could no longer fend for himself by hunting and foraging. Yet, this theory encountered a problem as most guidebooks classify wild potatoes as non-toxic. Undeterred, Krakauer had the seeds tested by a scientist, but they found no toxic alkaloids. Krakauer, still seeking answers, now endorses a medical paper by researcher Ronald Hamilton, which posits that the wild potato seeds were indeed the cause of McCandless's death, but not through any toxic alkaloids. Hamilton's study uncovered that McCandless's scant diet and malnutrition made him susceptible to a rare but severe condition often seen in undernourished young men, known as "lathyrism", which slowly paralyses its sufferers. Lathyrism is a condition triggered by the ingestion of an amino acid first identified in the seeds of wild grass peas. Krakauer sent some wild potato seeds to a chemist, who verified that they contained the lathyrism-inducing amino acid. After McCandless's demise, the converted bus where he spent his last days became a famous destination for trekkers. Known as "The Magic Bus", it bears a commemorative plaque from McCandless's father, Walt. In September 2020, the bus was moved to the Museum of the North at the University of Alaska, where it underwent restoration and an exhibition was set up. In the 2007 film adaptation, Into The Wild, actor Emile Hirsch took on the role of McCandless. During the shoot, Hirsch undertook daring feats such as scaling mountains, floating naked in a river with a temperature of 35 degrees, and standing mere inches away from an 8ft grizzly bear. Director Sean Penn felt compelled to create the film after reading Krakauer's book. "I ended up reading it cover to cover, nonstop, twice - the first time realising it was a movie and the second time affirming it," he said. Penn reached out to Krakauer, who introduced him to McCandless' parents, Walt and Billie, and his younger sister Carine. Initially, the family was reluctant to approve a film adaptation of McCandless' tragic story, not wishing to reopen old wounds so soon after his passing. However, about 10 years later, they gave their consent and the project proceeded. While some admire McCandless for his adventurous spirit, others criticise his actions as reckless and thoughtless. Peter Christian, a park ranger, offered a scathing appraisal, saying: "When you consider McCandless from my perspective, you quickly see that what he did wasn't even particularly daring, just stupid, tragic, and inconsiderate." Christian stressed McCandless' lack of preparation, saying: "First off, he spent very little time learning how to actually live in the wild. He arrived at the Stampede Trail without even a map of the area. If he had a good map he could have walked out of his predicament." Christian's verdict was unequivocal: "Essentially, Chris McCandless committed suicide." However, Ken Ilgunas, another ranger, presented a contrasting view in The McCandless Mecca: "McCandless, of course, did not commit suicide. He starved to death, accidentally poisoned himself, or a combination of the two." Jon Krakauer, the author of the well-known account, came to McCandless' defence, arguing: "In 1992, however, there were no more blank spots on the map - not in Alaska, not anywhere." Krakauer shed light on McCandless' unconventional thinking: "But Chris, with his idiosyncratic logic, came up with an elegant solution to this dilemma: He simply got rid of the map. In his own mind, if nowhere else, the terra would thereby remain incognita."
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Travel + Leisure
17-05-2025
- Travel + Leisure
This Utah National Park Has Canyon Views and Postcard-worthy Landscapes—and One of the Scariest Hikes in the U.S.
Attempt one (or both) of the park's iconic hikes: Angles Landing and The Narrows. Take in expansive views of the night sky from several viewpoints throughout the park. Stay in the park when you book a room at Zion National Park Lodge. Head to Whiptail Grill for their famous goat cheese chile relleno. Plan ahead for any permits needed, especially during the busy summer season. If there was a record for the number of times to exclaim 'This is beautiful!' in 72 hours, I'm positive I beat it on my trip to Zion National Park. In fact, I may have surpassed it within the first hour. My husband, Frank, and I visited Zion on a Southwest U.S. road trip in December 2023. We drove in from small-town Kanab, with the "Into the Wild" soundtrack blaring and our jaws dropping lower and lower with every turn. This 30-mile journey led us through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, a thoroughfare that shocks the system when the inkiness ends and a sea of red rocks begins. It only got better from there. That initial drive was merely the opening act for the hike-able mesas, canyons, and sky-high sandstone beyond the visitor center gates. It's a desert mosaic that attracts over five million people each year, and for good reason. Zion National Park is among the most beautiful places I've ever visited—hence my 'no, seriously, this is beautiful! ' refrain throughout the trip. Yet visiting 146,597-acre Zion National Park does require a bit of know-how, particularly with permit logistics and a shuttle system established to minimize the effects of high-season crowding. In this guide, you'll find everything you need to plan your Zion adventure, from how to climb nerve-wracking Angels Landing to lesser-known park pockets to dodge the crowds. View of Zion National Park through a tunnel. Zion National Park sits near the Utah-Arizona border. It's within a few hours' drive of other Southwest national parks like Bryce Canyon (70 miles) and Capitol Reef (175 miles). To reach it, fly into Las Vegas, grab a rental car, and drive 150 miles northeast, or take a flight into nearby St. George Regional Airport, which is located roughly 47 miles from the park. Of the park's main entrance gates, the southern entrance, by the Zion Canyon Visitor Center in Springdale, is the most popular. It leads to Zion Canyon Road, where trailheads to hikes like Angels Landing and The Narrows await. You can't drive the road with a private vehicle from March through November; instead, you'll park near the visitor center in Springdale and take the shuttle. (Or, if it's extra busy, you'll park farther away and take the Springdale Shuttle to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center; from there, you'll hop on the Zion Canyon Shuttle.) See the National Park Service website for the latest shuttle timetables; the shuttle is free and does not require a reservation, although you will have to pay the national park entrance fee. The east park entrance takes you through the mind-blowing Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel along State Route 9. This road can get busy during peak season, but the crowding is still nothing like Zion Canyon. Drive it for the dramatic tunnel, as well as access to less-trodden hikes like the one-mile Canyon Overlook Trail. To further avoid the crowds, try the Kolob Canyons Entrance. This route is located off of Interstate 15 on the park's more remote western side. This entrance does not connect with Zion Canyon—it's 40 miles northeast of the Zion Canyon Visitor Center—but it does provide access to a host of low-crowd trails. Finally, there's Kolob Terrace Road, another remote and minimally visited Zion wilderness option. It's 14 miles west of the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, with more under-the-radar trails and canyons like the Subway, which requires a permit to traverse. Visitors on top of Angels Landing. While you can visit Zion on a whim, some of the park's highlights do require planning. For example, you'll need a permit to hike popular Angels Landing. You can apply for it either two months before your trip, or via a day-before lottery. Frank and I applied in the day-before lottery and got lucky—likely because we were visiting in the off-season. Another jaunt that benefits from a game plan: The Narrows. Your feet and legs will get wet on this amble through the Virgin River. That's why local businesses, such as Zion Outfitter, rent gear like poles and canyoneering boots for summer and dry bibs for the off-season. It's best to reserve your equipment well ahead of time since there's high demand. Weather-watching is also essential, especially in summer. July to September brings the chance of pop-up storms and monsoons, which can cause flash flooding and dangerous conditions, especially in slot canyons. The park entrance fee starts at $35 per vehicle. If you're visiting multiple parks on your trip, consider the $80 America the Beautiful pass, which gets you into most public lands for one year. While most people visit Zion for outdoor recreation, not wildlife, you may see some animals while you're here. Keep your eyes and ears perked—we heard howling coyotes while watching the sun set on the Pa'rus Trail—and always keep your distance. Zion National Park's red rock formations. Zion National Park is open year-round, and each season brings a different flavor of adventure. According to Bryan Terzi, chief marketing officer of AutoCamp, one of the most popular glamping sites near the park, autumn in Zion is particularly exceptional. 'Fall is an incredible time to visit Zion National Park,' he told me. 'The summer crowds thin out, the temperatures become more comfortable for hiking—typically in the 60s or 70s—and the canyon is full of autumn colors, between the red rock landscapes and golden cottonwoods.' Summer is the peak season, with around 40 percent of the total annual visitation during these months, according to the NPS, and the temperatures can get sizzling. If you are visiting from June to August, plan to hit the trail early in the morning or in the evening. Summer does provide more hours for adventure, with long days and incredible nighttime stargazing. That said, remember that it's monsoon season. Be prepared for closures and keep an eye on the weather. Like fall, spring is also the shoulder season, but the weather is more unpredictable. From March to May, you could have warm days, or you could be bundling up for a hike in the 30s, so layers are key. If The Narrows is on your list, you may be better off in a different season. It closes intermittently this time of year due to snow melt. Finally, there's winter, and I cannot recommend this season—particularly December—enough. The freedom of driving the Zion Canyon Road alone makes it worth the cold weather. The park was by no means empty during my trip, but we were always able to find parking spots, and the trails never felt too busy. That said, winter in Zion is also a gamble. It could be a pleasant adventure with weather in the 40s and 50s, or you could face snow and ice. Bring layers, and be ready to adjust your plans based on what the day brings. Stargazing in Zion National Park. Zion is a birdwatcher's paradise, with over 290 species found within the park. One of the greatest avian highlights is the California condor, which you can view from perches like Scout Lookout (the starting point for the Angels Landing ascent). Alternatively, head to the Watchman Trail to scan for hawks and turkey vultures, or hike the Riverside Walk along the Virgin River for the chance to see belted kingfishers or hummingbirds. Rangers often lead birdwatching adventures, so keep an eye on the park schedule. Dramatic slot canyons abound in and around Zion. Unless you're an expert, you'll need a canyoneering guide to traverse them. Book a tour with rappelling, climbing, and trekking via companies like Zion Guru; they offer beginner to advanced sessions. If you want to go cayoneering nine miles through the Subway, among the most famous Zion slot canyons, you'll need a permit due to its technicality. While the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to the public for most of the year, you can ride the most popular park on two wheels. Bring your own bike or rent a traditional or e-bike via Zion Outfitter and Zion Cycles. You can cycle the scenic Pa'rus Trail or the main Zion Canyon drive. This is a great way to dodge the crowds and see the park sans shuttle. Head outside the park for one of the wildest Zion-area adventures: a Jeep tour, says Terzi. 'Taking a sunset Jeep tour just outside the park is an amazing way to experience Zion's stunning landscapes from a different perspective,' he says. 'These off-road adventures take you to breathtaking viewpoints, hidden canyons, and desert terrain that most visitors never see.' As a DarkSky International-certified park, Zion's starry skies are straight-up spellbinding. I'm a major fan of stargazing, so this is one reason I was especially thrilled to visit. I recommend the Pa'rus Trail for a scenic and easy stroll with wide-open twilight views. I also spent a night photographing the night sky from the Court of the Patriarchs—a perch that overlooks three of the park's most popular peaks—as well as outside of Zion National Park Lodge. If you need a break from the outdoors or the heat, head to the Human History Museum, which spotlights stories of the area's past, as well as a rotating art exhibit. Don't miss the bookstore to buy park gear as well. Visitors hiking in Zion National Park. Angels Landing is arguably the most popular hike in Zion National Park, and it's not for the faint of heart or those afraid of heights. But the views are well worth the nerves and lactic acid (and I say this as a fearer of heights myself). The five-mile, out-and-back journey begins at the Grotto Trailhead and takes you up to the nearly 5,800-foot summit. Expect to get your burn on early, with the heart-pumping Walter's Wiggles, a series of 21 switchbacks that drop you at Scout Overlook, where the Angels Landing ascent begins. From here, you'll grip chains as you traverse a narrow spine of crag. If heights terrify you, don't look down. Just keep schlepping until you reach the hard-earned Zion Canyon view from the peak (and don't get too close to the edge). Permits may be frustrating, but they are essential here, as crowding on the ascent can get dangerous. You only need a permit to hike the portion from Scout Overlook to Angels Landing; we downloaded our permits on our phones, although you can print it out and keep it on your person, too. Equally as breathtaking is The Narrows, a hike into the North Fork of the Virgin River. You'll get your feet and legs wet as you walk through the narrowest stretch of Zion Canyon and beneath sky-high salmon-tinged rock. To begin, join the Riverside Walk from the Temple of Sinawava, then amble into the trickling waterway. You can hike as far as Big Springs, around 4.5 miles from where the shuttle drops you, without a permit. After that, a wilderness permit is required. Gear is important given the water-trekking conditions; either bring your own or rent proper equipment from companies like Springdale's Zion Outfitter. The Emerald Pools Trail is a mild option when compared to Angels Landing and The Narrows; you don't need a permit, and you won't be sauntering through calf-high water. Instead, you'll hike along a sandstone path to one of three colorful pool overlooks—Upper, Middle, and Lower—with a waterfall and a trickling creek along the way. The route is open all year, but the scenery varies by the season. Spring's snowmelt produces the most dramatic waterfall display. You can hike the 1.2-mile loop to the lower pool, a two-mile trail to the middle and lower pools, or a 2.5-mile route to visit them all, according to Visit Utah. This is a great first-day jaunt to give your legs a shake-out after the drive. The Watchman, a 6,545-foot sandstone monument, is an icon of Zion. A 3.1-mile out-and-back jaunt on the Watchman Trail gets you up close and personal with the beloved crag. The view across the shrub-studded red rocks is pretty mind-blowing, too. Even better: You can access the trailhead on foot, without the shuttle. It's located right near the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. Since the Watchman Trail is less popular than other hikes like Angels Landing, you'll also see fewer crowds, even in busy summer. For a less-trodden Zion hiking day, head to Kolob Canyons, a mosaic of sky-high cliffs and red Navajo sandstone that sees a fraction of the Zion Canyon crowds. There are several hikes to explore this quiet corner of northwest Zion. My favorite, Taylor Creek, weaves through a narrow box canyon and crisscrosses its namesake creek before reaching the eye-popping turnaround point: a double-arch alcove. Before you leave the area, drive the five-mile Kolob Canyons Road to soak up even more splendid views. Guest room in Cliffrose Springdale. There's nothing like waking up right in the park, and Zion National Park Lodge makes that possible—but you'll have to reserve your room early. The lodge books up quickly during the peak season; it accepts reservations up to 12 months in advance, and it's well worth planning ahead for. In addition to trail proximity—both the trail to Angels Landing and the Emerald Pools Trail are reachable on foot from the lodge—you don't have to worry about busy Springdale parking. Guests can drive to the lodge via the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, park their cars in the lodge lot, then use the shuttle to reach destinations they can't get to on foot. The main luxury here is your location; the cabins and lodge suites are nice, but not over the top. Another perk for Zion National Park Lodge guests: easy access to the onsite restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Reservations are recommended; non-guests can dine here, too. Set along the Virgin River, and a half-mile from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, the Cliffrose Springdale is a great option for travelers who want close park proximity without compromising on luxury. The accommodation includes heated outdoor pools and hot tubs, as well as an onsite fitness center and airport shuttle, with quick access to Springdale's excellent dining scene—more on that below. About 15 minutes from the Springdale Zion entrance you'll find AutoCamp Zion, a glamping escape with Airstream, cabin, and safari-tent accommodations. AutoCamp is like its own little national park village, with a well-stocked market, bonfire area, pool, and restaurant. These amenities are ideal for unwinding after a long day of park adventures. An extra bonus: several rooms are pet-friendly, so Fido can join, too. Zion offers three campgrounds, although one—South Campground—is closed for a long-term construction project. Watchman Campground is close to the visitor center and the Pa'rus Trail. It's open year-round, and you can reserve it up to six months ahead of your trip (reservations are required). Lava Point Canyon is located on remote Kolob Terrace Road; reservations are required here as well. A meal from Red Rock Grill. Courtesy of Zion National Park Lodge Enjoy Mexican fusion in a hip converted gas station at Whiptail Grill, one of the best lunch and dinner haunts near Zion. The grill is roughly one mile south of the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, and its famous goat cheese chile relleno—which I devoured the night after our Kolob Canyon hike—is delectable. My husband and I hit up The Bit and Spur Saloon for dinner the night after our Angels Landing ascent, and we couldn't have picked a better spot to splurge. The joint may be laid-back, but its Tex-Mex food was perhaps the best of our entire Southwest adventure. Vegetarians, like me, will be especially well-fed here, with everything from sweet potato tamales to roasted poblano mac and cheese. If you're looking for a solid coffee, fancy java, or fresh pastry on your way in or out of Zion Canyon, try Canyon Coffee. We stopped here at least once per morning for a fresh brew and muffin and often in the afternoons for a chai tea latte pick-me-up. The café is less than a mile from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. For a low-key lunch or dinner with a side of local beer, head to Springdale's Zion Canyon Brew Pub. The hangout is part sports bar, part brewery, with around 10 beers on tap and a handful of bites, including salads, tacos, and burgers. While the Springdale establishments get more inventive with their fare, the Red Rock Grill at Zion Canyon Lodge is convenient for those staying at the lodge or those who want to grab lunch or dinner in between adventures. It's your typical American grub, with staples like burgers (including a black bean burger), pasta, and steak. Grab a window seat for gorgeous red rocks views, especially if you're dining around golden hour.
Daily Mail
07-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Moment woman ignores warning not to approach wild hippo... before enraged beast charges and knocks her down
This is the shocking moment a wild hippo knocks down a holidaymaker after she ignores a man's warning not to approach it. Footage shows the enraged beast charging at the woman before using its head to ram her face-first to the ground as bystanders watch on in horror. The person behind the camera can be heard shouting, 'he's going to charge' and telling a child 'this is what you call an idiot' as the woman moves closer to the animal. 'She's not listening,' the child responds as the rotund creature barrels towards her, slamming her into the grass and fleeing the scene in St Lucia on Tuesday night. The cameraman shouts, 'you're stupid' as the stunned woman gets to her feet and staggers away, leaning on a man for support. The video, posted on the Facebook page 'St Lucia News' said there were 'warnings posted all over town' but that 'people still take stupid risks when approaching the hippos'. Another Facebook page, Unofficial: Into the Wild, added: 'Visitors are told by lodge, guesthouse owners, and businesses to stay far back from the hippos. 'But some people just don't listen. They are very lucky they weren't seriously hurt or killed. They have now made a hippo potentially more aggressive to humans by their foolish behavior. Stay back people.' The person behind the camera can be heard shouting 'he's going to charge' and telling a child 'this is what you call an idiot' as the woman moves closer to the animal. 'She's not listening', the child responds as the rotund creature barrels towards the woman, slamming her into the grass and fleeing the scene in St Lucia on Tuesday night The video, which was posted on the Facebook page 'St Lucia News' said there were 'warnings posted all over town' but that 'people still take stupid risks when approaching the hippos'. According to local media, the tourists involved were ordered out of St Lucia, and accommodation establishments advised them not to take future bookings from them. 'They were given an hour to vacate town or face law enforcement proceedings,' reported the Zululand Observer. According to BBC Science Focus Magazine, hippos kill around 500 people each year. Last year Lisa Manders, 70, died after being attacked by one of the animals in Zambia while on a dream trip with her husband Craig. The mother-of-three suffered 'catastrophic injuries' and died moments after the attack, according to a lawsuit her grieving husband has now filed against African Portfolio, the Connecticut-based company that organized the trip. 'Had we understood the dangers posed by the hippopotamus, we never would have agreed to be in such close contact while on foot,' Craig said in a statement. 'The idea that we were unwittingly exposed to such an extreme danger, a danger made even worse by our tour guides leaving Lisa alone on foot with nothing between her and such a deadly animal, is nothing short of astonishing.' It comes after a hippopotamus was caught on camera dragging a child to his death in Lake Victoria as screaming crowds desperately pelted the animal with rocks in 2020. The little boy had been playing by the shore in Mbita, Kenya, as adults washed clothes nearby. Footage shows the child submerged in the murky water as residents helplessly cried out. The animal eventually released the boy but he died from his injuries.
