July, 28, 2009: Often hailed as being one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon is an immense gorge located in the state of Arizona in the United States, that was carved by the natural water flow of the Colorado River.
Although not the steepest nor the longest canyon in the world, the Grand Canyon is recognized as a natural wonder because of the overall scale and size combined with the beautifully colored rocky landscape. The canyon offers a variety of lookouts and experiences that provide visitors with spectacular views that cannot be matched.
Although not the steepest nor the longest canyon in the world, the Grand Canyon is recognized as a natural wonder because of the overall scale and size combined with the beautifully colored rocky landscape. The canyon offers a variety of lookouts and experiences that provide visitors with spectacular views that cannot be matched.
My Wife's Grand Canyon Experience:
As I stood taking in the sights and watching Jett photograph the canyon, he was several feet away from the edge and in no way beyond any fence or barrier. An older man walked up the path, muttering under his breath "they don't recover your remains when you lose your balance and fall over", however no one nearby reacted or paid any attention. He then walked directly toward me, stopped and approached me face-to-face. He then said "tell your husband that they won't recover his remains when he loses his balance and falls over the edge". I just quietly nodded and he walked on, seemingly perturbed with my lack of alarm...
Kathryn Britnell
Grand Canyon Quick Facts
- The canyon is 277 miles (446 km) long
- The width ranges from 4 to 18 miles (6.4 to 29 km)
- The depth is over one mile (1.83 km)
- It was first discovered by a European in an expedition in 1540
- The Grand Canyon National Park occupies 1,218,375 acres and was created in 1919
- About 600 deaths have occurred in the Grand Canyon since the 1870s. Some of these deaths occurred as the result of overly zealous photographic endeavors, some were the result of airplane collisions within the canyon, and some visitors drowned in the Colorado River. According to "Over the Edge: Death in the Grand Canyon", 53 fatalities have resulted from falls; 65 deaths were attributable to environmental causes, including heat stroke, cardiac arrest, dehydration, and hypothermia; 7 were caught in flash floods; 79 were drowned in the Colorado River; 242 perished in airplane and helicopter crashes (128 of them in a horrific 1956 mid air airplane disaster; 25 died in freak errors and accidents, including lightning strikes and rock falls; 48 committed suicide; and 23 were the victims of homicides. And yes, despite rumours to the contrary, Park Rangers make every attempt possible to recover bodies.
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