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The seven canyoneers who died this week in a flood in Zion National Park loved outdoor adventure, their families said.
"Canyoneering was his passion," the family of Gary Favela wrote of the 51-year-old Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., man who perished Monday as floodwaters overwhelmed him and his six companions in Keyhole Canyon.
Meanwhile, the search continued Friday for 6-year-old Tyson Lucas Black in Hildale and adjoining Colorado City, Ariz. He is thought to be the 13th person to die in flash floods in Hildale on Monday.
And late Thursday, searchers found the body of Ryan Daniel Mertlich, of Hurricane. He, too, is thought to have been caught in the Monday floods.
In all, 20 people are confirmed to have died in the floods — not counting Tyson. The storm that passed over southwestern Utah on Monday and the flash floods it produced is being called the deadliest weather event in Utah history.
The group of canyoneers who entered Zion — all in their 50s and from California and Nevada — apparently descended into the canyon Monday afternoon after some members of the group took a basic canyoneering course, park officials said. When they picked up their permit that morning, they were warned that flash flooding was "probable," park officials said. But the park withholds permits only when the National Weather Service issues a flash flood warning — and that did not happen until 2 p.m., after the group already was in the canyon.
Three canyoneers who entered Keyhole after the seven passed them at the first of several short rappels. The three called rangers that afternoon to report that they were concerned the seven hadn't made their way out before the torrential thunderstorms that ultimately left 20 people confirmed dead in and near Washington County.
After three grim days of searching, crews recovered the bodies of all seven canyoneers in the group.
Six were from California: Mark MacKenzie, 56, of Valencia; Linda Arthur, 57, and her husband, Steve Arthur, 58, of Camarillo; Muku Reynolds, 59, of Chino; Robin Brum, 53, of Camarillo; and Favela.
The seventh victim was Don Teichner, 55, of Mesquite, Nev.
Reynolds' family members described her as "a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend to many."
"Hiking was her passion," they wrote in a statement park officials released Friday.
Steve Arthur was a sergeant with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office. He and his wife, Linda, "lived for their seven adoring grandchildren" and enjoyed the outdoors, their family wrote.
Brum was "supremely kind and a selfless person who cared for everyone around her," her family wrote.
"She leaves a hole in our hearts and lives that will never be filled."
Favela's family members extended their thanks to those who supported them during the search. They described Favela as a "kind and loving father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, boyfriend and friend."
"He will be forever missed," they wrote.
As for Mertlich, his body was found late Thursday about 6 miles from his abandoned vehicle, about 7 miles south of the Utah state line, according to a Mohave County, Ariz., Sheriff's Office news release.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office has said Mertlich was last seen when he left a family member's house Monday evening.
Twitter: @erinalberty