When the search and rescue teams reached the teens, they had already died as a result of their injuries.
The school invited students and parents to an assembly Monday morning for prayer where Andrew Lusink's aunt and uncle who told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter Michelle Millman that he was a remarkable young man with a deep faith.
NORTH BEND, Wash. — "This is a very tragic situation," said Sheriff's Sgt. Cindi West. "There is no cell service in the area so it is likely that the Forest Service employee had to drive down the mountain to call 911."
Andrew Lusink was a junior at Christian Faith School. The other victim, Skagen, graduated from the school last year.
On Monday, school staff members placed flowers at the sign at the front of the school.
"They were smart but I guess lost their footing or something. They were wise boys. They weren't mischevious or anything, they just loved life and so we just couldn't believe it," said Lusink's aunt, Tracy Smith.
"He chose his friends very wisely. (They were) both people that were smart and people that were caring and loving, and so he couldn't have had any better people around him at that time. So, I don't know what happened, but he had the right people around him," said Lusink's uncle, Joel Smith.
Tracy and Joel Smith said the other victim, Ben Skagen, played soccer and was a very funny young man.
"Ben was a three-sport athlete for us playing soccer, basketball and MVP of the track team. (He) also raced motorcross, loved the outdoors and went hiking and camping with friends often," said the Christian Faith School's Athletic Director and Business Manager Stephanie Pond.
Pond said Lusink was a soccer player, Jonah camp volunteer, ASB Chaplain and had "zeal for life, lived full out with no regrets."
The Smiths said they weren't surprised the boys were out hiking together because they loved adventure.
Donations are being accepted at any branch of Wells Fargo Bank under Andrew Lusink Memorial Benjamin Skagen Memorial.
Formal memorial services are expected to happen in the days to come at Christian Faith Center, where both families are members.