Body of missing hiker found

Searchers found the body of alpine hiker Jacob “Jake” Rigby at approximately 2 p.m. Friday, according to a press release from Glacier National Park officials.

Rigby’s body was found on the mountain known as “8888” in the southern end of the park. The name denotes the elevation of the unnamed peak.

An initial investigation indicates Rigby may have fallen about 800 feet on the north side of the extremely steep mountain.  

His body was spotted by helicopter personnel during an aerial search of the area between Ole Creek and Park Creek drainages.  

The Flathead County Coroner has been contacted and officials are determining a plan to safely recover Rigby’s body.

The discovery on Friday brought a grim end to a massive five-day search in the rugged reaches of southern Glacier Park.

The extensive search effort began Monday after Rigby was overdue from a personal day hike on Sunday in the park. Rigby was traveling alone on his Sunday outing.

More than 50 people helped with the search efforts, including 31 people who searched and camped overnight in the steep and treacherous terrain. Flathead Valley Search and Rescue and Flathead National Forest also helped search.

Rigby, 27, worked for the exotic plant team at the park for the past three summers.  He also worked at other National Park Service sites during the winter season.

He originally was from Illinois.