Over 300 People Never Returned Home After Visiting This Popular U.S. National Park

Visiting a nationwide park is commonly seen as an opportunity to absorb breathtaking surroundings, spend time with family members, and discover nature. Many vacationers think about these parks to be bucket listing locations, which provide superb experiences – from mountain climbing rugged trails to admiring distinctive geological options.

Whereas some modifications are made to mountain climbing trails to enhance customer security, the Nationwide Park Service goals to maintain them as near their pure situation as potential. Because of this, regardless of such lovely settings, guests are anticipated to comply with every park’s security tips intently.

Even with precautions, accidents occur in nationwide parks throughout america yearly, and a few end in fatalities. Glacier National Park in Montana is not any exception, with its steep, distant mountain climbing trails and unpredictable climate. Since opening in 1910, Glacier has recorded over 300 deaths linked to varied incidents.

Over 300 Fatalities Recorded In This Nationwide Park

In keeping with “Death & Survival in Glacier National Park: True Tales of Tragedy, Courage, and Misadventure” by C.W. Guthrie and Ann and Dan Fagre, between 1910 and 2017, there have been 296 recorded fatalities within the park. Newer incident reports from the National Park Service present that a further 21 deaths occurred between 2018 and 2025. Collectively, these numbers convey the overall to 317 deaths over the past century.

Glacier’s fatality records date back to 1913, when an individual named Dr. Fletcher, from Indianapolis, Indiana, turned the park’s first identified sufferer after being struck and killed by falling ice and snow on the foot of Blackfoot Glacier. Since then, the park has tracked a variety of incidents that led to fatalities, together with animal encounters, avalanches, environmental publicity, and rock slides.

Some causes of loss of life are extra frequent than others. Falls have claimed probably the most lives, with 77 fatalities since 1910. Drowning follows intently at 60 deaths, whereas cardiovascular occasions account for 53 fatalities. Automobile accidents have prompted 31 deaths, and in some instances, guests have merely vanished and not using a hint, presumed lifeless after intensive however unsuccessful search efforts.

A number of Lacking Individuals Circumstances Stay Unresolved

Not all incidents in Glacier Nationwide Park contain confirmed fatalities. In some instances, guests simply disappear, regardless of days-or even months-long searches. A few of these disappearances date again a long time.

In 1924, two brothers, 29-year-old Joseph Whitehead, an engineer on the Common Battery Firm of Chicago, and 22-year-old William Whitehead, a scholar on the Massachusetts Institute of Know-how (MIT), disappeared whereas mountain climbing between Granite Park Chalet and Lake McDonald Lodge. In keeping with a New York Times article from September 14, 1924, they had been final seen on August 23, 1924, at Lake McDonald, Glacier National Park’s largest lake, however had been by no means heard from once more.

A decade later, in 1934, a New York Times article reported that 27-year-old Ohio State College employees member, Dr. F. H. Lumley, vanished close to Waterton Lake, leaving his baggage unclaimed at Many Glacier Hotel. Lumley was final seen leaving on foot from Goat Hang-out Camp on a 17-mile hike throughout the mountains to a different camp.

Lastly, writings published by the NPS recorded the 1963 disappearance of mountain climber Dave Wilson, who was final seen on Going-to-the-Solar Mountain. Within the instances of those 4 lacking individuals, the park’s huge wilderness, steep terrain, and quickly altering climate made restoration efforts particularly tough.

The NPS writes:

“Glacier’s climate is very variable and may be excessive… Simply exterior the park’s japanese boundary, in Browning, Montana, in 1916, the temperature dropped from 46 levels F to –56 levels in 24 hours—that is 100 levels in a day! It’s nonetheless an all-time world report.”

These identical situations which have lengthy hindered search operations are additionally among the many hazards guests nonetheless face right now.

Guests To Glacier Nationwide Park Nonetheless Face These Hazards

Lots of the identical hazards which have claimed lives previously are nonetheless current in Glacier Nationwide Park right now. Even these with years of mountain climbing or climbing expertise can expertise life-or-death conditions as a result of park’s unpredictable terrain and climate.

“You’ve gotten a heightened sense of being extra cautious and being extra conscious. Even for those who’re skilled, issues can occur to you,” Dan Fagure, co-author of “Death & Survival in Glacier National Park: True Tales of Tragedy, Courage, and Misadventure” told the Whitefish Pilot.

Just lately, Glacier’s incident reporting web page recounted a deadly accident on July 9. Whereas making his approach down a steep, off-trail climbing route on the west face of Mount Gould above the Highline Path, a 42-year-old man fell to his loss of life. The day earlier than, on July 8, parkgoers were reminded of Glacier’s most common cause of death after three guests had been rescued after falling into Avalanche Creek.

The streams and rivers in Glacier Nationwide Park are lovely to have a look at, however the water is commonly dangerously chilly, even in the course of summer season. A lot of it comes straight from melting snow and glaciers, holding temperatures low sufficient to trigger hypothermia. Moreover, rocks and logs alongside the water’s edge are sometimes coated in moss, making them extraordinarily slippery.

Hypothermia happens when your physique loses warmth sooner than it could heat itself. It will possibly trigger shivering, confusion, and hassle talking or pondering clearly.

To scale back the danger of a majority of these accidents, the Glacier National Park Conservancy urges guests to comply with security tips.

Parkgoers ought to:

• Put on layers as a result of altering climate situations
• Carry a map or GPS/spot beacon
• Use excessive warning close to water
• Keep on designated trails
• Preserve a distance of no less than 25 yards from most wildlife, and no less than 100 yards from bears and wolves.

Accidents can occur, however packing the fitting gear, giving wildlife loads of house, and being cautious close to water go a great distance in the case of staying secure in Glacier Nationwide Park. Whether or not you are happening a fast hike or planning for a couple of tenting days, preparation not solely makes your journey extra pleasing but in addition helps make sure you make it residence with out incident.