Young hiker dies at South Mountain

On Monday morning, a 14-year-old boy from Alaska who was visiting relatives in the East Valley died after becoming dehydrated and suffering heat stroke while on a hike in South Mountain Park the day before.

Firefighters say the family was hiking for several hours when the teen became disoriented. Firefighters were called around 11:30 a.m. and when they found the group, far up a trail off Pima Canyon, the boy was not breathing.

“He’s coming from Alaska (and) he’s never been in the heat like this,” said fire Captain Dorian Jackson, a spokesman for the department.

The temperature was around 115 on Sunday, although the heat radiating off the rocks probably increased the temperature.

The desert can be unforgiving and Jackson said the key is to stick with the basics.

“Make sure you drink plenty of water the day before and carry plenty of water,” Jackson said.

Hikers should also wear a hat and loose clothing to protect from the heat. It’s also important for hikers to apply plenty of sunscreen and set a reasonable pace in hot weather so they won’t overheat and get into trouble.