Fatality in Zion National Park's Subway

Fatality in Zion National Park's Subway
Date: September 19, 2012
Contact: Aly Baltrus, 435 703-3836

A canyoneering fatality was located in Zion National Park on Wednesday, September 19, 2012. The name has not been released pending notification of relatives.

The victim and his partner, both unfamiliar to the route, had a permit to descend through the Subway on Tuesday, September 18, 2012. They were the last to descend the popular route. On the last rappel, the victim got his foot caught and could not free himself. His partner, who had already descended, was unable to help from below. The partner was caught by darkness and was unfamiliar with the exit route, and could not make it out of the Canyon until Wednesday morning to alert park rangers. Rangers received a call for assistance at approximately 11:45 a.m. and the park's search and rescue team was deployed.

This incident serves as a good reminder about the importance of being prepared, knowing your limitations, and having the resources necessary to problem solve when something goes wrong. The Subway is Zion National Park's most popular canyoneering route and requires several rope rappels. This is the first death in the Subway in recent history, but there are a number of rescues annually. Jock Whitworth, Superintendent of Zion National Park, expresses his deepest sympathies to the family. "The Subway is deceiving. It is a very popular trail, but very difficult- the 9-mile hike requires rappelling and ascending skills, extensive route finding experience, and swimming through several cold and deep pools. Unfortunately, its location inside the Wilderness also means that rescues are not always possible or timely enough. Sound decision making and problem solving are critical," Whitworth said.

There is a Canyoneering safety video available on the park's website at http://www.nps.gov/zion/photosmultimedia/canyoneeringsafety.htm

An investigation into the accident is ongoing. Ten people were employed in the search and recovery effort.

Canyoneering Fatality Victim at Zion National Park Identified
Date: September 20, 2012
Contact: Aly Baltrus, 435 703-3836

The person who died while canyoneering in Zion National Park has been identified as Yoshio Hosobuchi, 74, of Novato, California. He and his wife attempted to descend the Left Fork of the North Creek, a popular route known as "The Subway" on Tuesday, September 18, 2012. On the last rappel in the canyon, Hosobuchi's rappel devise jammed and he ended up hanging inverted in the waterfall and was unable to free or upright himself. His wife, who was already on the canyon floor below, was unable to assist him.

A canyoneer from another group that just completed the Subway the same day, called park dispatch at 9:00 p.m. to let them know that there was a couple still behind them. The group had passed the couple earlier in the day and knew that at their current pace, they would probably have to overnight in the canyon. Based off that report, rangers began looking for the overdue couple on Wednesday morning. At 11:45 a.m., a ranger located Mrs. Hosobuchi, who was trying to get out of the canyon to find help. A search and rescue team hiked into the Left Fork and located his body Wednesday evening. Due to approaching darkness, his body was evacuated by helicopter Thursday morning.

Hosobuchi was a retired Neurosurgeon. He is survived by his wife and three children. Over the last few years he and his wife have been traveling and completing a "bucket list", which included completing the Subway. Last year he successfully hiked Kilimanjaro.

The Hosobuchi's were relatively new to canyoneering. Their only experience had been an introductory course and completing a trip through Zion National Park's Keyhole Canyon. Unfortunately they hadn't mastered route finding and might not have had all the skills necessary to get out of trouble while rappelling. Without looking at the route guidance they brought, the couple chose to an anchor that forced them to rappel down the waterfall rather utilize the anchor listed in the route description. Rappelling in a watercourse increases the difficulty and may have contributed to Hosobuchi's death. Based on the increased difficulty of the rappel, they might not have had all the skills necessary to get out of trouble while rappelling.

Zion Superintendent Jock Whitworth commented, "such a tragic event and one I think most of us can relate to. Many of us have "bucket lists"- things we dream of doing before we die. However, many of these are often risky or require a skill level that we do not have. It is so sad that something on this gentleman's bucket list contributed to the tragic loss of his life."

Where would one go to learn more about 'route finding'? Is this just being more experienced, or does a place like REI offer a course?
I have hiked alot, mostly day-hikes and I have backpacked before, but have never gone gone cross-country, staying on marked trails.