CASTLE ROCK, COLO. — Nick Jogolev died while hiking the Manitou Incline in Colorado during a Cub Scout outing with his 9-year-old son Sasha. He collapsed around the 900th step of the trail, which features 2,768 steep steps and a 2,000-foot elevation gain in less than a mile.

Jogolev, 48, would have turned 49 the following week. According to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, he was experiencing breathing problems before he died. Passersby noticed him sitting with his son and observed that he looked very pale. He was offered Gatorade, drank it, stood up, and then died. A combat medic, doctors, and first responders were nearby on the trail at the time, but were unable to revive him.

Jogolev had no known health conditions, took no medications, and did not drink or smoke. The family is awaiting an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

His wife, Coral Jogolev, described him as a gentle giant who was introverted and very smart. "He's a great dad," she said. "When I say he lived for his kids, he really did." The couple had seven children in their home: two from her previous relationship, three they had together, and two nieces for whom they had guardianship. One of the children has special needs, which led Coral to stay home as caregiver while Nick worked in IT.

"His kids were his world," Coral Jogolev said. The family had prepared for the hike as part of their annual Cub Scout tradition, training using the Parker Incline and the Castle Rock Incline. The family also recently lost Coral's ex-partner, with whom they were very close, just 10 days before Nick's death.