On the afternoon of May 11, 2025, a man died after suffering a seizure and cardiac arrest on a trail in Gold Canyon, located in the Superstitions, and his identity has now been released by investigators. Arizona’s Family reports that Noah Farabaugh, 33, passed away after he fell unconscious on the trail. The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) received a call around 12:45 p.m, from a group of five hikers who had been hiking from the Wave Cave trailhead in the Superstition Mountains. According to ABC News, as they waited for medical crews to arrive, one hiker from the group started cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), however, by the time help had arrived, Farabaugh was already unconscious. The Guardian states that the Superstition Mountains rise over 6,000 feet above the Sonoran desert, and are about 40 miles east of Phoenix.

The hiking group was approximately three quarters of a mile from the trailhead, and one hiker from the group went back to the trailhead and was able to get the attention of authorities. Help arrived in the form of Superstition Fire & Medical District (SFMD) and Mesa Fire Department. Despite the fire crews performing several rounds of CPR on him, Farabaugh was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

The fire crews said that Farabaugh had reportedly experienced a seizure and went into cardiac arrest before he fell unconscious. The hikers told the crews that they had been on the trail for six hours, they were experiencing issues related to the heat, and they had run out of their supply of water.

According to CBS News, weather reports showed that temperatures in the area reached a maximum of around 100 degrees Fahrenheit on that day. In a Facebook statement posted by officials from SFMD, they said “As temperatures climb, so does the risk. Heat illness can set in fast, even for experienced hikers” referencing that Arizona temperatures in the summer can get to 110 degrees Fahrenheit and higher. They said that in those conditions, “heat exhaustion or heat stroke can occur in under an hour.” ABC News states that the SMFD also added that “If you feel dizzy, nauseous, stop sweating, or become confused, get help immediately,” reminding people of the conditions to watch out for, while also adding, “Please stay safe and plan wisely. No hike is worth your life.”

Reported by Arizona’s Family, Delaney Krieger, a Phoenix hiker, had plans to hike on the Wave Cave trail before being informed about the incident, saying “It feels very surreal to think about that happened to someone today. It’s horrible. I feel so bad for him.” Fire crews report that when on the trail, people are already behind in rehydrating when they think they are dehydrated. Consuming liquids before a hike won’t also help. According to Yahoo News UK, SFMD Fire Chief Daniel Elliot says that “You really want to pre-hydrate several days in advance. And then also, heat acclimation–changing temperatures. Maybe don’t start off with such a long hike. Get outdoors a little bit and have progression.”

The other four hikers in the group were unharmed and did not accept transportation to the hospital. No foul play is suspected, and the Pinal County Medical Examiner will work to find the official cause of death.