A weekend hike near Ketchikan turned tragic after a Portland man who called for help from the Deer Mountain area was later found dead at the base of a cliff. Authorities identified the hiker as 49-year-old Heath Didier, who told troopers Sunday night that he was lost, cold and without food, water or proper clothing before contact abruptly stopped. Rescue volunteers located a body the next morning below a cliff on Deer Mountain, and crews later recovered the remains. The case is under review by state authorities.
Overnight Search Ends in Tragic Discovery
According to Alaska State Troopers, dispatchers received a call at 9:37 p.m. on June 14 from Didier, who reported he was lost in the Deer Mountain Trail area. The last known contact with him came at 10:24 p.m. that night. The Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad launched a search from the Silvis Lake Trail, but ground teams were initially unable to track him down. The following morning, a contracted helicopter was brought in and spotted an adult male believed to be Didier, partially submerged at the bottom of a cliff, as KTUU reported. Crews could not safely recover the body on Monday and returned the next day to remove it, troopers said.
Troopers Describe Treacherous Cliff
Department of Public Safety spokesperson Justin Freeman estimated the cliff where the body was found at roughly 75 to 100 feet. He told reporters the rock face was "far too steep to climb or descend without climbing gear," pointing to alpine rock and patchy snow that complicate footing in low-light fog, GV Wire reported. Authorities said they do not yet know what led to the fall. The remains were transported to the state medical examiner's office in Anchorage for examination.
Steep Trail, High Stakes for Hikers
The Deer Mountain National Recreation Trail climbs sharply from the edge of Ketchikan, gaining more than 2,000 feet in the first two miles. The U.S. Forest Service lists the route as challenging, and higher elevations often hold snow into June. In fog or darkness, hikers can lose the trail. The Alaska Department of Fish & Game and forest managers urge anyone venturing into the Tongass backcountry to carry navigation tools and warm layers, bring plenty of water and make sure someone knows their route and expected return time.
Community Ties and Ongoing Review
Local outlets have identified the hiker as Portland resident Heath Didier; next of kin have been notified, and state investigators say they expect to release additional details after the medical examiner's review, per KOIN and other reporting. The Alaska State Troopers' dispatch remains the official timeline of the search, and officials say the incident is a stark reminder of how quickly weather and conditions can turn on Southeast Alaska trails.
