The life of a soldier is demanding, both physically and mentally. The training and conditioning that soldiers undergo is rigorous, and it takes a toll on their bodies and minds. Tragic news recently came out of a US Army training base, where a soldier died during a hike. What was supposed to be a routine training exercise turned into a deadly and devastating experience for a 34-year-old soldier.

This incident is a reminder of the dangers that soldiers face during training exercises. While these exercises prepare soldiers for the rigors of combat, they can still be deadly.

Hiking exercise proves fatal for young soldier

Spc. Kyle Lee Gustafson of the Elmendorf Richardson Joint Base in Anchorage, Alaska, fell during a hike.

The accident took place near Rainbow Peak, along the Turnagain Arm, located on the south side of the city. He fell on a “sheer rock hillside trail near Rainbow Peak“, a spokesperson for the Alaska State Troopers informed.

What makes the trail difficult is the sheer length of it, which is 5 miles long with a climb of 3400ft. The soldier was airlifted after they sent out a call for help. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Are hikers in Alaska at risk?

Hiking in the state of Alaska has become quite a dangerous affair of late. Just a few weeks back, a Tennessee couple hiking in the wilderness of Alaska got lost for eight days. Authorities and families conducted an extensive search till another hiker spotted the couple eight days later.

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According to locals, the couple were subjected to sunlight and extreme conditions for 20 hours, something they were not used to. This could have left them disoriented. But thankfully, they came out of it alive. The couple is now in the middle of recovery after experiencing burns and damage, both internal and external.

The tragic news of Gustafson passing away will leave the members of the camp in great grief. A former U.S. Marine Corps, he served as an explosive ordinance disposal specialist with the 716th Ordinance Company.

Watch this story – Five Compelling Reasons to Embark on a Hike to Elevate Your Physical Well-Being and Nurture Your Mental Resilience