A teenage boy who 'lived boldly' and had an 'adventurous spirit' has been identified as the victim who died after falling about 100 feet from a hiking trail known as Devil's Castle.
Zachary Jacob Crandall, 16, died on August 19 after falling during a hiking trip in Alta, Utah, according to his obituary.
Zachary, who was better known as Zach, was scrambling up the trail with three friends before he fell several hundred feet, according to Salt Lake County Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SLCSSAR).
Scrambling is a form of hiking that falls between regular walking and technical rock climbing.
A witness watched the teen plummet down the mountainside and called 911. Rescuers spotted Zach from a helicopter but found him deceased when they reached him.
He was described as an extremely loving teen with a thirst for knowledge and adventure.
'Zach lived boldly. He had an adventurous spirit and considered himself an extreme athlete,' his obituary reads.
'He was the kind of person who threw himself completely into the things he loved and into the people who mattered to him.'
Zachary Jacob Crandall died on August 19 after falling during a hiking trip up on Devil's Castle in Alta, Utah
A witness saw Zach fall from Devils Castle, which has a 1,486-foot elevation gain and the trail is a four-mile loop
According to the obituary, Zach loved freestyle trampoline, cliff jumping, indoor climbing, hiking, weightlifting, thrifting, music, traveling and anime.
Zach developed a love for summit hiking after friends introduced him to the outdoors, according to the tribute.
'He hiked Mount Timpanogos and Pfeifferhorn with his brother, returning home completely covered in mud but beaming about how quickly they had completed the hikes,' the obituary states.
'He went on to hike several more peaks, always looking for the next challenge and adventure.'
The memorial notice added that Zach pursued the things he loved with remarkable determination and surrounded himself with friends and family.
He encouraged others and was never afraid to try something difficult.
Zach's loved ones started a GoFundMe to help establish a scholarship in his honor. The fundraiser has raised more than $15,000 from hundreds of donors.
Dozens of tributes were posted online, remembering Zach's strong character and offering thoughts and prayers to his family.
'Thank you for sharing this. He was truly a fantastic kid. Excited to see what his legacy will bring,' one user wrote.
'Sending all my love and deepest condolences to Zach's family. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him,' another added.
Zach was described as an extremely loving teen with a thirst for knowledge and adventure
Zach's loved ones started a GoFundMe to help establish a scholarship in his honor
'My heart is saddened for the family of this wonderfully adventuresome young man. He lived large. His death is tragic, for sure. My heart goes out to his grieving family,' a third wrote.
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.
Devils Castle has a 1,486-foot elevation gain and the trail is a four-mile loop.
'Devil’s Castle and other Wasatch ridgeline scramble terrain can present serious objective hazards,' said SLCSSAR.
Officials encourage knowing the terrain before entering and understanding the consequences of a fall.
'Turning around is always an option, as is stopping in a safe spot and calling for help,' officials added.
