He was torn up pretty bad emotionally. When I asked the cashier at REI what his favorite day-hike in the Phoenix area was, he thought for a minute before answering, Oh! The Associated Press contributed to this report. Updated: 5:22 PM MST January 26, 2022 PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. Authorities say a hiker camping on Flatiron peak in the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix was found dead after apparently slipping. 1st & 2nd Flatirons Hike Overview. The Flatiron trail in Lost Dutchman State Park is a 5.8-mile hike and is not a "maintained trail" leading to the peak of the mountains. Doug Peoble, according to the report. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The hike begins at Lost Dutchman State Park in Apache Junction. 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Andrew Thomas told KPHO-TV he spent three months as a missionary with Jacobson in 2020. This hike climbs above Massacre Falls and up the ridge to the backside of Flatiron using an off-trail route that is steep, loose, and hard to follow. It was just a very tragic accident.". ", 'Be honest with yourself':Perfect selfies are all over Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. "I can tell you that during our investigation, there no signs of foul play. Located in Apache Junction just 40 miles outside of Phoenix, Lost Dutchman State Park. It was just a very tragic accident.". The out-and-back trail is 2.6 miles round-trip with a 1,400-ft elevation gain - a pretty moderate hike! A YOUNG hiker fell to his death while trying to take a picture on a mountain peak in Arizona, authorities say. Market data provided by Factset. Water refill stations are located near the restrooms at the trailhead. He was Erik Kleiber, a 31-year-old from Boulder. A tarn sits below the summit and is a popular spot for camping. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! We were around 15, 14, and 12 and were decent hikers but not serious at all. Richard Jacobson, 21, fell from the Flatiron Peak in the Superstition Mountains in at the Lost Dutchman State Park, east of Phoenix, Arizona. And its a great place to sit down, rest, get some selfies, and rehydrate without other climbers pressuring you for space. The climb is rugged, vertical and difficult to follow. Once inside the park, drive to the last parking area and look for a sign for the Siphon Draw Trailhead. Live nearby and have seen many a helicopter evacuation, typically about 1/2 way down around the saddle," wrote a reviewer on Tuesday. This hike requires great stamina. This is a very popular area for hiking, rock climbing, and snowshoeing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Follow. Its a hard way up, and a long way down, and youll need hydration both ways. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. It was May. TRAIL STATS. Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park, Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park. RATING: very difficult "Live nearby and have seen many a helicopter evacuation, typically about 1/2 way down around the saddle," one reviewer wrote on Tuesday. Flatiron is a taxing and difficult hike, but everyday people do it, well, every day. Everyone could use a bit of coaching. Thomas told the station he remembers Jacobson as someone who was kind and had a good sense of humor. Before you hit the trails, make sure to check these four to-dos off your pre-hiking list. "You gotta be super focused about being next to the edge, and not just at the rim. First published on January 27, 2022 / 6:46 AM. Our expository features, narratives, profiles, and investigative features keep our 385,000 readers in touch with the Valley's latest trends, events, personalities and places. Climbing gloves would be helpful during the last mile as you are climbing up and over rocks and boulders. Prepare to climb rocks.. A helicopter from the Arizona Department of Public Safety helped in the recovery effort. "He slipped and fell," said Sgt. The friend called 911 at about 12:45 a.m. He slipped and fell, Sgt. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. From the point of the sign on this map, it's about 2.5 very steep and challenging miles up Siphon Draw Trail to The Flatiron. Flatiron is one of the most popular day hikes in the Superstition Wilderness, just outside of Phoenix, AZ. So its wise to take some from a guy who has hiked it more than 65 times. Back in 2006, Dave . Start the day smarter Notable deaths in 2023 The world's largest war 2023 . The investigation into Friday's death is ongoing and the identification of the fallen climber has not been released. Only those with an appetite for adventure and a GPS should attempt it. You could do Camelback Mountain [the highest point in Phoenix] up and down two times and it still does not equal one trip up and down Flatiron in distance and elevation., Even with this knowledge, some hikers need rescuing. What makes backpacking Flatiron more difficult is strapping an extra 20-30 pounds to your back and hiking the 3.25 miles and 2780 feet in elevation gain to the top. The body of hiker Richard Jacobson was recovered after he fell from Flatiron Peak in the Superstition Mountains, located to the east of the Phoenix metropolitan area, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office says in a statement to PEOPLE. "He slipped and fell," said Pinal County Sheriff's Office Sgt. A hiker in Arizona slipped and fell hundreds of feet to his death Monday after trying to take a photo in Lost Dutchman State Park, according to the Pinal County Sheriff's Office. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. (Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images), Fox News Flash top headlines for January 26. Market data provided by Factset. The Superstitions are a sculptural mountain range formed by intense volcanic activity that pushed the rock straight up from the earth. You gotta be super focused about being next to the edge, and not just at the rim. Become a member to support the independent voice of Denver Its spectacular. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Youll be burning plenty of calories and working up an appetite so be sure to pack protein bars and snacks that you can enjoy at the top. Jacobson's body was found nearly 700 feet below where the hikers were camping on top of Flatiron near Lost Dutchman State Park, the office said. 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Theyre focused on what theyre doing., Seven passengers rushed to hospital after 'severe turbulence' on flight, Gabby Petito's family claim cop knew Laundrie was threat in lawsuit update, Jury inspect eerie Murdaugh murder scene where mom & son were executed, US Navy faces being totally outgunned by China in just seven years, says expert, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Richard Jacobson, 21, fell to his death after attempting to take a photo on the top of a mountain, Jacobson and a friend were camping at the Lost Dutchman State Park when the incident took place, The man's body was found 700 feet from where he originally fell. We've received your submission. "I spent all my waking hours with Richard, so I got to know him pretty wellhe was an outdoorsman, hunter, hiker. The Flatiron's pretty good." That should have been a clue. Conflicting online reports muddle the risk level and time requirement. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The Flatiron trail in Lost Dutchman State Park is a 5.8-mile hike and is not a "maintained trail" leading to . The body of Richard Jacobson, 21, was recovered after a hiking companion called 911 at approximately 12:45 a.m. Monday, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. The Flatirons pretty good. That should have been a clue. For more than 50 years, PHOENIX magazine's experienced writers, editors, and designers have captured all sides of the Valley with award-winning and insightful writing, and groundbreaking report and design. He's the second person to suffer a. Join the Westword community and help support According to a study in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 259 people died taking selfies from 2011-2017. "As you can imagine, he was very distraught. The hiker, identified as 21-year-old Richard Jacobson, was reportedly trying to take a picture when the fall happened. One reviewer said the hike is not for the faint of heart., Hardest hike Ive done in the valley so far, but so worth it when you get to the top, wrote another review on January 23. ", Siphon Draw Trail to Flatiron Summit in the Superstitions, For the latest local news, download the FOX 10 News app. Jacobsons traveling companion called police a little after midnight on Monday, said the Pinal County Sheriffs Office in a statement. Getting to the top of the landform that juts out 2,500 feet above Lost Dutchman State Park in Apache Junction is challenging it does not give up its bragging rights easily. Fugitive in $18 million COVID fraud scheme extradited to U.S. "He slipped and fell," Police Sgt. Doug Peoble with PCSO. On the trail, you reach whats commonly called the Basin, a natural depression where millennia of wind and erosion has worn the red volcanic tuff into a Martian landscape. The staff at Lost Dutchman State Park are always eager to share information about the hike. The first part of the trail is exposed, so bring a hat, sunscreen, and SPF chapstick. Another hiker reported that his friend, a 21-year-old hiker named Richard Jacobson, had fallen from the mountain. Hed been camping with a friend on top of Flat Iron, the sheriffs office said. 2023 FOX Television Stations, from WED 5:00 PM MST until THU 11:00 AM MST, Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys including Nogales, Southeast Pinal County including Kearny/Mammoth/Oracle, Upper San Pedro River Valley including Sierra Vista/Benson, Eastern Cochise County below 5000 ft including Douglas/Wilcox, Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys including Clifton/Safford, White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties including Hannagan Meadow, Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains including Mount Graham, Chiricahua Mountains including Chiricahua National Monument, Dragoon/Mule/Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains including Bisbee/Canelo Hills/Madera Canyon, Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains including Mount Lemmon/Summerhaven, until THU 5:00 AM MST, Yavapai County Mountains, Yavapai County Valleys and Basins, until THU 11:00 AM MST, Grand Canyon Country, Coconino Plateau, Chuska Mountains and Defiance Plateau, Western Mogollon Rim, Eastern Mogollon Rim, White Mountains, Northern Gila County, Oak Creek and Sycamore Canyons, Black Mesa Area, Mazatzal Mountains, Pinal/Superstition Mountains, Southeast Gila County, from THU 1:16 AM MST until THU 5:00 AM MST, Northwest Deserts, until THU 5:00 AM MST, Upper San Pedro River Valley including Sierra Vista/Benson, Eastern Cochise County below 5000 ft including Douglas/Wilcox, Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys including Clifton/Safford, from WED 5:00 PM MST until THU 11:00 AM MST, Tucson Metro Area including Tucson/Green Valley/Marana/Vail, South Central Pinal County including Eloy/Picacho Peak State Park, until THU 2:00 PM MST, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, until THU 11:00 AM MST, Marble and Glen Canyons, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas Hwy 264 Northward, Chinle Valley, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264, New River Mesa, Rio Verde/Salt River, Superior, Tonto Basin, Mazatzal Mountains, Pinal/Superstition Mountains, San Carlos, Dripping Springs, Globe/Miami, Southeast Gila County, Arizona weather forecast: Winter storm brings more rain, snow, Preying on a People: Inside the scheme of trafficking, health care fraud that victimizes Native Americans, Major Arizona storm: 'Enormous' amounts of snow, major highways closed, damaging winds, power outages, Chicago police officer fatally shot on Southwest Side, Arizona man selling brooms surprised by TikToker after string of counterfeit buyers, 'When it hit me, I just lost it': Wife of Arizona Intel campus murder victim speaks out, Arizona couple makes historical find following Goodwill purchase, Arizona Republicans disavow wide-ranging bribery allegation, How unlicensed sober-living homes are getting paid with taxpayer money. 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