The National Park Service has issued an update on the teenage hiker who was swept to his death after falling into a popular waterfall in Olympic National Park, revealing that they have been unable to recover his body due to significantly high water levels.
Grant Herridge, 18, was seen slipping and falling more than 50ft after attempting to cross the upper river at Sol Duc Falls on Sunday, June 8. A multi-agency response was launched immediately, and the park closed the area to conduct searches.
On June 9, a ranger located a submerged body, presumed to be that of Herridge, pinned between the first and second falls. Despite lowering "multiple responders" into the narrow canyon, attempts to recover the body have been unsuccessful due to "high river flows " caused by recent warm temperatures and rapid snowmelt.
"The park’s priority is to safely complete this recovery as soon as conditions allow. Rangers will continue to monitor the target area, natural hazards, and changing conditions. Recovery operations will resume when it is safe to do so," reports the NPS.
Crews say the area where the body is located is at "a constriction point beneath the main falls" where the speed and force of the water increases. They are also contending with vertical rock walls covered in slick algae and moss.
A woman named Jill Dorman posted in the Friends of Olympic National Park Facebook page, identifying Herridge as her cousin and revealing he had planned to attend Baylor University in the fall.
"The son of a Pastor, he was out in the world for the first time in his life and paid with his life for a tragic mistake," writes Dorman.
Sol Duc Falls is one of the most popular attractions at Olympic National Park, splitting into as many as four channels as it cascades nearly 50ft into a narrow canyon that is less than 8ft (2.4m) wide.
In 2016, a Washington man miraculously survived after walking out onto the rocks at Sol Duc Falls, slipping and being swept away.
When hiking around waterfalls, it's important to wear proper footwear such as hiking boots or shoes with good traction, as the trails themselves can be slick. Always stay on the trail, out of the water, and observe any safety signs. You can learn more in our article on waterfall safety.
