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Man, 75, found dead after search and rescue operation in Millcreek Canyon

Posted at 10:29 AM, Aug 12, 2020
and last updated 2020-08-12 19:07:43-04

SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah — The body of an overdue hiker in Salt Lake County was discovered Wednesday morning after a search of Grandeur Peak in Millcreek Canyon.

“It was a pretty steep fall and he was found in some pretty tough terrain,” said Detective Kevin Mallory of Unified Police Detective.

Tough terrain is believed to be the reason 75-year-old Curtis Booth didn’t return home from a hike in Millcreek Canyon Tuesday.

“We believe at this point he was returning back down the trail is when he suffered that slip and fall,” said Detective Mallory.

The isolation and rocky topography are some reasons why hikers come to Grandeur Peak in the first place, yet the terrain made it impossible for Salt Lake County Search and Rescue to find Booth on Tuesday night.

“The trails are easy to follow but once you are off trail the amount of area you have to search just grows exponentially. It takes that much more time when you don’t have a path to follow,” said Detective Mallory.

Wednesday morning, the Department of Public Safety helicopter spotted Booth’s body and hoisted it up out of the canyon.

Search crews say they’re very busy helping rescue injured and lost hikers. In general, hikers are advised to tell someone where they’ll be hiking and an expected return time. It’s also important to be prepared with proper equipment and plenty of water.