Body of missing hiker, 23, is found beneath rockslide in Montana mountains almost two months after she disappeared

Idaho hiker Tatum Morell, 23, was on a solo trip in Montana before disappearing on the West Fork Trailhead near Red Lodge on July 1

The body of a missing 23-year-old hiker was found after a near two-month search on August 21 in a Montana rockslide with fatal injuries. 

Tatum Morell, of Idaho, went missing after she last contacted her family on July 1 - the night before she went on the West Fork Trailhead near Red Lodge, Montana.

Cops had little luck finding the woman during a seven-week hunt.

However, a group of hikers spotted on Saturday what turned out to be Morell's equipment on the trail before finding her body in a gully below Whitetail Peak, according to Red Lodge Fire Rescue.

Officials believe she was attempting to climb Whitetail Peak before she got caught in the rockslide.

'After almost two months of extensive search efforts, we are relieved that she is able to be returned to her family.' Red Lodge Fire Rescue Assistant Chief John Trapp told Fox News.

Morell was a recent graduate from Montana State University and was considered an 'avid and experienced hiker' 

Morell's body was retrieved after hikers notified police 

 

Tatum Morell was described by her family as a 'fiercely independent, adventurous soul who loved the mountains'  

 'The effort volunteers put into finding Tatum surpassed anything I’ve seen in my 17 years with Search and Rescue operations; it was absolutely incredible.'

Starting on July 5, officials combed the Beartooth Mountains using rescue teams, law enforcement agencies and even dogs. 

After coming up empty for five days, Morell's parents accepted her tragic death.

Morell's family said: 'Tate was a fiercely independent, adventurous soul who loved the mountains.

 'We find some solace in knowing she passed in a place she loved.'

Morell had recently graduated from Montana State University and was considered to be an 'avid and experienced hiker.' 

After her body was found, the hikers contacted local law enforcement and provided them with the coordinates of the location, according to Q2 News. 

The location of the body was discovered on August 22 using a helicopter from the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office, according to Carbon County Sheriff Josh McQuillan.

Morell's body was transported to the Red Lodge Airport that afternoon by a Two Bear Air helicopter. 

Morell's body was found in a gully below Whitetail Peak by fellow hikers after a  near two-month disappearance 

Multiple rescue teams, including the Red Lodge Fire Rescue, searched extensively for Morell