Trail crew member John "Jake" Quilter, 26, died yesterday while hiking to Manning Camp in the Rincon Mountains. The crew was beginning a project to rehabilitate a fire damaged trail. His death, which was not witnessed, is estimated to have occurred at around 12:15 p.m. on the Manning Camp Trail near the mountain?s 6,700 foot elevation. Quilter had hiked out ahead of his group and was found by another crew member lying on the trail. CPR was begun and a cell phone call for assistance was made. A medical helicopter was able to land nearby, but Quilter was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:08 p.m. Quilter's body was evacuated by helicopter and transferred to the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner. An autopsy was expected to be performed on Thursday afternoon. Quilter was a first year seasonal at Saguaro and had worked trail crew assignments at Grand Teton, Grand Canyon and Olympic. He?d also performed volunteer work at Arches and Canyonlands. The park's superintendent, Sarah Craighead said: "We are deeply saddened by Jake's sudden death. He was a fine young man, with a positive outlook on life. He loved working for the National Park Service, and was very passionate about trail work." Jake's parents shared the following: "Jake was a very special young man. He lived life to the fullest. His love of the outdoors led him to the park system and the many friends he grew to know and respect along the many trails he blazed. Jake was a very independent young man who spent much of his time hiking and traveling and seeing more of this country than most people do during a long lifetime. His family and friends will always remember his mischievous grin and sense of humor. We appreciate those of you that became a part of Jake's life in the park system. He thought of you as his extended family. We will all miss him dearly." Memorial and funeral services are pending, as is a possible memorial fund. Cards and notes may be sent to Jake's parents, Judy and John Quilter, at 11051 Mill Pond Lane, Mechanicsville, VA 23116.
