“Rescuers said the trail should only be attempted by highly-skilled hikers. They said just being in shape is not enough, technical skills are needed.”
A 26-year-old man died after falling 200 feet while hiking in Little Cottonwood Canyon. KUTV reports search and rescue crews from the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office were called to the scene just after 11 a.m. Sunday. Local officials say a group was crossing the Cottonwood Ridge Traverse when they found the body of a hiker on the east face of Dromedary Peak.
The route divides Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons and crosses five of the Wasatch Front summits over 11,000 feet, and several other peaks. Officials with the Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake said the man fell about 200 feet in an extremely steep and rocky area. They said the man was hiking the extremely difficult and dangerous WURL trail (Wasatch Ultimate Ridge Linkup).
The trauma from the fall killed the 26-year-old Andrew Acuff from Salt Lake City. Friends said Acuff planned to meet up with other hikers, but never showed up. He was last heard from around 9:30 a.m. Sunday. A separate group of hikers found his body and called police.
Rescuers were unable to get to the dangerous area, so a helicopter was used drop of personnel who were then able to hike to Acuff and recover his remains. Officials said the incredibly dangerous WURL trail has been growing in popularity. This was the second time search and rescue crews were called to the area in September.
Rescuers said the trail should only be attempted by highly-skilled hikers. They said just being in shape is not enough, technical skills are needed.
Our thought are with Andrew’s family and friends.
This happened on the extremely difficult WURL trail.
Rescuers say this incredibly dangerous trail is getting more popular.
This is there 2nd search and rescue there this month.
The trail is for very skilled hikers, just “being in shape” is not enough.@KUTV2News
— Kelly Vaughen (@KellyVaughen) September 12, 2021