Things can go wrong, fast.
A series of decisions, all which seemed reasonable at the time. Even experienced hikers can get lost in canyon country.
Three friends, planning on a challenging day hike on the standard Syncline Loop in Canyonlands National Park, Utah, got stuck overnight without provisions. One suffered some hypothermia.
Rich posted a detailed account of how it happened:
Now, we didn’t really have much in the way of food. I had brought a few slices of bread, some saltines, a jar of peanut butter and, of course, plenty of water. We each had a similiar supply.
We planned on stopping at the grocery store on our way to Moab but, somehow that slipped our minds. …
So, we figure … we’d probably find a bit of trail food at the visitor center.
Well, we soon found out there was nothing at all in the way of trail food at the visitor center. The Island of the Sky Visitor Center is a little more than a Ranger Station. In fact, I really like Canyonlands because it doesnt have any amenities.
The desert is one place your really do need the 10 essentials. And extra water. Even if setting out only for an hour or two.
They made one last urgent scramble to get up and out.
… we saw … a potential exit. It was crazy and we were all really uncertain but, we pushed on. Every second getting closer to darkness.
Of course, as they do in the desert, temperatures plunged with the setting sun. Thankfully, we still had clear skies and little to no wind. We climbed higher and higher.
… It is endless!!!
For certain, that mile or so was the most intense and rugged hiking I have ever done in my life. Naturally, I loved every minute of it but, my lungs would argue otherwise. We had been on the trail for nearly 10 hours.
No pretty pictures on this post. Just three wiser hikers the following morning when the sun finally came up. Cold, but never in any real danger.
Canyonlands National Park – WikiTravel
besthike.com 
Rich Here. I assure you neither of my friends became hypothermic and I would appreciate you removing any such suggestion. Hypothermia is a condition which involves the lower of the bodies core temperature and effecting physical and mental states. At no time were we in any immediate danger and in need of immediate medical attention and/or rescue.
I appreciate what you are doing, for sure. I am the first to admit my own faults and short coming before embarking on what we expected to be a fun day hike. I am an avid outdoorsman and do not mind you using my experience as an example to all, but please be fair and forward. Do not put any spin on the story. Thank you.
-Rich
http://digitalpowderhound.blogspot.com
http://picasaweb.google.com/UtahPowderHound
Sorry, Rich.
I THINK I have clarified the post as you requested. Let me know if you want anything else changed.
Of everything you talk about in your trip report I did focus only on getting stuck out overnight. But that is the main thing people need to know that head into canyon country for the first time.
It happens every day down there.
(I even got lost doing the short hike to The Wave near Page, Arizona.)