The US National Park Service has issued a warning about quicksand at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area on the Arizona-Utah border, as families begin arriving for spring break. Quicksand has been reported near shorelines and in drainages throughout the park, which spans over 1.25 million acres and includes Lake Powell.
Quicksand, a mixture of sand and water or sand and air, can appear dry and firm on the surface but may suddenly give way, leading to entrapment. The park service advises visitors to watch for signs such as unexpected water seepage, shifting or rippling soil, and spongy ground. Getting stuck can cause hypothermia, dehydration, and even death.
Recent incidents highlight the danger. In December, a hiker at Utah’s Arches National Park became stuck up to his thigh in quicksand and had to be rescued via emergency beacon. Last month, a Florida man, Andrew Giddens, was found stuck in shoulder-deep frozen mud on Valentine’s Day; rescue crews took hours to free him, and he was flown to hospital in critical condition.
If caught in quicksand, the park service urges staying calm and avoiding sudden movements. Victims should lean back to distribute weight and slowly work legs upward, using sturdy objects like branches or trekking poles for leverage. Officials stress that unstable ground should be approached with extreme caution.
