Body of missing hiker Tatum Morell found buried under rocks

The body of a hiker has been found buried under rocks nearly two months after she went missing.

Tatum Morell was an experienced hiker who was planning on trekking to the top of five mountain peaks in the US state Montana.

The 23-year-old last made contact with her family using a satellite communicator on July 1.

The next day she set off to tackle the West Fork Trailhead in the Beartooth Mountains but never returned to her tent at Shadow Lake.

Her disappearance sparked a rigorous land-and-sky search over five days with the help of rescue dogs and cell phone tracking.

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But by July 10, rescuers believed she was most likely dead.

“Some people may wonder why my sister was out there by herself. I don’t think that is the right thing to ask. She was out there because she’s a strong adventurous, independent person,” Ms Morell’s brother said in a video statement at the time.

Despite the grim prediction, the search effort continued.

Hiker's body found buried under rocks

Ms Morell's body was discovered by climbers on Sunday at the Whitetail Couloir, a mountaineering route rescuers had searched numerous times.

Authorities suspect Ms Mortell was caught in a rockslide and suffered fatal injuries.

“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 posted.

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