A 16-year-old boy has died after falling about 100 feet from a hiking trail in Utah. Zachary Jacob Crandall, known as Zach, died on August 19 after falling during a hiking trip in Alta, Utah, according to his obituary.
Fall on Devil's Castle
Zach was scrambling up the trail known as Devil's Castle with three friends when he fell several hundred feet, according to Salt Lake County Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SLCSSAR). Devil's Castle has a 1,486-foot elevation gain and the trail is a four-mile loop. The rescue mission to recover Zach's body took around three-and-a-half hours.
A spokesperson for the SLCSSAR said: "Salt Lake County SAR, Unified Fire Authority, Alta Marshal, Air Life, and Utah Department of Public Safety Aero Bureau (DPS) responded to a long fall on Devil’s Castle involving a 16-year-old who was scrambling with three partners. The individual fell several hundred feet. A bystander who witnessed the fall called 911, allowing rescuers to respond quickly."
Rescue and recovery
The spokesperson continued: "DPS was able to locate the patient from the air and, shortly thereafter, paramedics reached the fall victim, where they were found deceased. SAR personnel then focused on the safety and well-being of the three partners still on the ridgeline above. The partners were monitored down the route and then transported off the mountain. The victim was subsequently recovered from the mountain by SAR and DPS."
The SLCSSAR spokesperson added: "Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and the young person's partners as they navigate this heartbreaking loss."
Safety warning and memorial
The rescue team shared the incident to help prevent future tragedies, noting that scrambling can look and feel like hiking but often involves exposed terrain where a slip can have catastrophic consequences. They said: "Devil’s Castle and other Wasatch ridgeline scramble terrain can present serious objective hazards. We encourage knowing the terrain you're entering, understanding the consequences of a fall, and being honest about your group's experience and comfort level. Turning around is always an option, as is stopping in a safe spot and calling for help."
Climbers and visitors were advised to avoid Devil’s Castle climbing areas over the next few days, as the area has been impacted by the incident and will be temporarily closed. Zach's loved ones started a GoFundMe to help establish a scholarship in his honor, raising more than $15,000 from hundreds of donors. A message on the page reads: "This memorial fund is being created in Zach’s honor, with the intention of establishing a scholarship in his name. The family will thoughtfully develop the scholarship to reflect Zach’s life, passions, and the qualities he valued in others."
Zach is survived by his parents, Josh and Sandra; his younger brother, Dylan; his cats, Ginger and Pepper; and his many friends and extended family members.
