Alaska State Troopers: Long Island Hiker Falls To His Death

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) -- A New York state man likely fell to his death while hiking in rough terrain on the Herbert Glacier trail system, officials said Wednesday.

The body of Adam Webb, 30, of Hampton Bays, N.Y., was spotted on a rock face adjacent to the glacier by a search helicopter Tuesday, Alaska State Troopers Sgt. Tim Birt said.

"We have nothing suspicious," Birt told the Juneau Empire. "It appears to be an unfortunate accident."

Webb was visiting family and working in Juneau for the summer.

Family members reported him missing when he did not return home from a Saturday hike and didn't show for work the next day at Coastal Helicopters.

The search involved the Juneau Mountain Rescue, SEADOGS and the Alaska State Troopers, who were contacted after his car was located at the Herbert Glacier trailhead.

A helicopter crew found the body 7 to 8 miles from the highway on an unmarked path off the Herbert Glacier, Birt said.

"The area he was in was more of a route," Birt said. "A natural route through the terrain. There was not a clearly defined trail as there is at the trailhead. You can almost drive a car through Herbert Glacier Trail near the highway, but up in the far region where we found him it was more of a route than an actual trail."

There appeared to be no dramatic terrain face that Webb fell from, just a steep hillside, Birt said.

There were no other indications of what happened on the hillside, Birt said.

The cause of death wasn't immediately known.

Webb was hiking alone, may not have been familiar with the terrain and apparently didn't leave a trip plan with anyone.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)