Inspiration on the Ridgeline

gpsjoe · Joined: 01 Feb 2004 Posts: 535 Location: Mesa AZ

Sad news. At 3:38 PM today Shawn, Hank (Grasshopper), myself and a couple from Kentucky (the woman was a doctor) were at the West Boulder saddle returning from a trip to Superstition Peak (5,057 feet).

An 80 year old man named Jim who hikes the Supes frequently and I believe is the Jim ArizonaHeat met 3 years ago passed away. The doctor thought it might have been a heart attack or stroke. He was about 1/4th mile east of West Boulder saddle when this happened.

A rescue helicopter was there as were many rescue personnel who would escort Jim's companion plus two rescue workers off the mountain potentially in the dark. There were about 30 vehicles including those of the Pinal county sheriff and many rescue workers as we drove out close to 6:00 PM.

Although sad, Jim died in a place he loved doing what he loved.
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Trishness · Posted: 1/25/2010, 8:35 pm Post subject:

Hikngrl · Posted: 1/26/2010, 5:58 pm Post subject:

Lucky man. Sounds like he lived a full active life if he was still hiking the Supes at 80. Must have been quick to still be out on the trail. That too is a blessing. To die doing what he loves after a long full life... If I can only be so blessed.
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Arizonaheat · Posted: 1/26/2010, 8:34 pm Post subject:

Jim, I feel blessed to have known you. You carried the Spirit of Nature in your heart and it guided you and brought you peace for 33 years more than you were suppose to have. It can heal like nothing else can heal.

You went the way you dreamed of going, the Lady took your hand after reaching the Peak one last time in your human form and now you are part of her, free to roam for all eternity. I know it was the most special place in the world for you and now you are part of her.

See you on the trail my friend.
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azbackpackr · Posted: 1/27/2010, 4:11 am Post subject:

What a lovely tribute, Arizonaheat! That man lived life as I want to live, hiking the trails into his 80s. Some of you have said you would want to die out there on the trail, and I have said, no, I want my loved ones with me when I die. But you see, Jim showed me you can have it both ways!

RIP fellow hiker!

Deborah · Joined: 06 Oct 2008 Posts: 297 Location: Tucson

Wonderful words....
He's in hiker's heaven with all the greats!
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desertgirl · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ

RIP. Sympathies to his family & friends.
Heat -- great tribute to an amamzing person.
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Suz · Joined: 27 Nov 2005 Posts: 3186

Thanks for sharing the story. It's a lovely picture and Jim's passing certainly stirs up lots of emotions.

Our search and rescue folks are really amazing people. So proud to call some of them my friends.

Sande J · Posted: 1/31/2010, 5:33 pm Post subject:

Thanks for posting that from me too...I did meet him also on the trail, a couple of years ago when I was coming back down from the peak. (he was going up) We had a really nice chat and a little rest break, he really made me smile. I think that is the way he would want to go and that would be the place to do it. Beautiful surroundings.
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threedogz · Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 668 Location: Chandler

I have seen him in the Supes and one time in the Grand Canyon and I stopped and told him I have seen him hiking before.
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gpsjoe · Joined: 01 Feb 2004 Posts: 535 Location: Mesa AZ

Here is Jim's obituary. He has quite a large surviving family. Wonder if they know he was something of a hiking legend here.

http://www.funeraldigest.com/obituaries/?id=139068187
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SkyIslandHiker · Posted: 2/3/2010, 2:30 pm Post subject:

Arizonaheat, great tribute!

Jim'story reminds me of:
"You don't stop hiking because you get old; you get old because you stop hiking".
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