Dozens of hikers have been left violently-ill after hiking through a remote part of the Grand Canyon.
Havasupai Falls in the Grand Canyon National Park, in Arizona, is one of the most sought after areas of the renowned park, but getting to it can be difficult.
Groups are now in some cases having to leave the picturesque area by helicopter after being struck down by a mysterious illness that leaves unable to hike out.
Maylin Griffiths is one of those who had to flee the remote area after falling ill while on a hike celebrating her 40th birthday last week.
‘We had a lovely hike in, it was wonderful. We did early morning on the 6th, then set up camp – we had a wonderful campsite’, she told AZ Family.
Havasupai Falls in the Grand National Park is one of the most sought after areas of the renowned park, but getting to it can be difficult
Maylin Griffiths is one of those who had to flee the remote area after falling ill while on a hike celebrating her 40th birthday last week
The birthday celebration quickly soured, after Griffiths started being violently sick, recalling: ‘I was throwing up, and it then just got progressively worse and worse.’
Griffiths and one of her friends, who also made the hike, started to fall down with the illness also, with the two hiking several miles back to a village for help.
The two sought the help of a local doctor. Griffiths said: ‘He discovered our temperatures were really high.
‘Mine was 104 and friend was 105. We were violently ill. They were able to admit us to the clinic there because they considered it life threatening.’
Griffiths had to be airlifted out of the canyon by helicopter with more than 150 people there waiting in line – many of whom were sick too.
She added: ‘My hope is that they close things down for a bit. I wouldn’t want anyone to hike in and experience what I did, especially with the heat rising.’
Madeyln Melchiors also told the outlet that she had to use a mule to help her make it out with her camping gear after being struck down with illness on her trip.
She said: ‘It was something I have never experienced before. Ended in the heat of the day which was terrible.’
Griffiths and one of her friends who also made the hike starting to fall down with the mysterious illness also, with the two hiking several miles back to a village for help
Griffiths had to be airlifted out of the canyon by helicopter with more than 150 people there waiting in line – many of whom were sick too
People on social media have also reported being sick with similar experiences like Griffiths.
While Wendy Rose Gould posted: ‘Just got back from Havasupai today. It was beautiful, of course, but curious how many people got violently ill like myself.
‘I was projectile vomiting for ~24 hours and had extreme nausea, diarrhea, and fatigue, as well. Many others were sick — at least 5-6 other people I ran into.
‘The night I was sick I even had a vomit buddy by the bathrooms. Curious if this was possibly heat exhaustion or something viral. Be careful down there!!’
It remains unclear what is making hikers unwell, with the Havasupai Tribe Tourism Office saying the test the water regularly.
A notice released on social media said: ‘The public water sources on the Havasupai reservation are tested regularly by the Havasupai Water Department.
‘The last test of the Fern Spring was on June 6, 2024. The results confirmed the water from Fern Spring is safe for human consumption.
‘The next water test of the Fern Spring will be conducted in 2 weeks. There is an excessive heat warning at this time.
It remains unclear what is making hikers unwell, with the Havasupai Tribe Tourism Office saying the test the water regularly
‘The Havasupai Tribe reminds all tourists to properly hydrate before, during and after your visit to Havasupai.’
Griffiths added: ‘I don’t know that a consensus was medically confirmed but it felt like it was norovirus.
‘Definitely some type of virus is what the doctors were discussing. My hope is that they close things down for a bit.
‘I wouldn’t want anyone to hike in and experience what I did, especially with the heat rising.’
In 2022, the National Park Service investigated what might have caused more than 100 people suffering from a stomach bug while visiting the Grand Canyon.
