What was supposed to be a relaxing vacation in the wilderness ended in tragedy for Iowa State graduate student Roberto Sala.

Sala, 27, from Italy, died Thursday, Sept. 25, as a result of an accident while hiking at the National Bridges National Monument in southeastern Utah.

“Roberto had an adventurous spirit,” Charles Baker, Mountaineering & Climbing Club adviser, said.

“He came last fall and immediately joined the Mountaineering & Climbing Club. He absolutely loved to climb. He went on every trip we had,” Baker said.

Sala had planned a vacation alone in the wilderness. He flew to Las Vegas where he rented a car and drove to the Grand Canyon for a couple days, Baker said.

Then he went to the National Bridges National Monument in southeastern Utah, where he got a hiking permit and began his trek into the desert, Baker said.

“He was hiking on a back trail alone, slipped on the path, the rocks broke out from under him, and he fell off the cliff 80 meters to his death, Baker said. “He died on impact.”

Although he died on Thursday, Sept. 25, his body was not found until one week later, Baker said.

When he did not come back after three days, a full-scale search was launched by the Italian Embassy on Tuesday, Sept. 30.

It took the rescue teams two-and-a-half hours to descend to where his body had fallen, Baker said.

Sala’s love for mountain-climbing started before Sala came to America, Baker said.

“He grew up in the Alps in Northern Italy, so he had been doing this for several years,” he said.

Sala was a P.h.D. candidate in physics who was working with the Ames Lab under Ferdinando Borsa, a professor of physics and astronomy.

Sala earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Pavia, in Pavia, Italy.

The funeral was held in Italy, but there will be a special memorial for him in Ames.

“We are going to have a tree planted on campus by the club in dedication to him,” Baker said.

“We hope to have it planted in the spring as soon as we are able to procure the necessary funds.”

The club is planning to have a fund-raiser in two weeks, he said.

“We have also agreed to take down a tree in the yard of one of the physics professors for $50.

The money will go toward the tree for Roberto,” Baker said.

The club has also received donations from other sports clubs and is accepting private donations.