PROVO — The the body of Tyler Mayle, 22, was recovered just before noon on Thursday. He was found Wednesday night thanks to an outdoor enthusiast who was using a spotting scope to look for wildlife one the mountain.

Mayle was hiking on Y Mountain Saturday around 11:30 a.m. He was reported missing Tuesday and his body was located near the base of a sheer, 60-foot cliff near Eagle Pass, a significant distance off the Y trail, around 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Searchers zeroed in on the area after Provo resident Luke Johnson told police he had spotted a hiker there Saturday night while using his spotting scope to look for wildlife on the mountain.

"It was a gentleman, but I didn't think that much of it. I have seen people up there before," Johnson told KSL News.

Then Wednesday, when he heard a hiker was missing on Y mountain, Johnson called police and showed them specifically where he had seen the person on Saturday evening.

"The incident commander focused on that area, and what they did is they pulled the rescuers together, put them in a line, and then from the cliff ... they started to move out. And that is when they found Tyler," Provo Police Lt. Mathew Siufanua said.

Siufanua said the cliff is some distance from the Y trail and, while accessible, requires "a heavy climb" to be reached. Still, it's an area with which officials are familiar.

Related:

Friends, family gather to remember BYU student after body found

After search and rescue crews hiked down Y Mountain to inform family members they found Tyler Mayle's body Wednesday night, a group gathered to remember the BYU student.

"It's off the beaten path, but people get in trouble up there all the time," he said. "Every single year we either have individuals lost, stuck or, heaven forbid, they fall and so it is an area that students go up and climb quite a bit."

"Right now, the number one priority is investigating the scene," Siufanua said. "You have to look at a lot. We're looking at where we found Tyler. We also have to look at possibly where he fell from — was it at the top of the mountain? A ledge where he got stuck? There's a million things to look at in these situations."

Siufanua said Mayle's family, who arrived from Windsor, Colo. Tuesday, struggled with the news of Tyler Mayle's death, but have been "fabulous" in their commitment to their son and the search effort. Siufanua said they were at the mountain again Thursday and weren't planning to leave until their son's body was recovered.

Mayle's body was transported to the Utah Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy.

Mayle, a BYU junior studying communication and political science, was familiar with the outdoors and with the area, according to family members. Still, police said his death was a reminder of necessary safety precautions.

"When you go up into these mountains, you have to be prepared," Siufanua said. "One of those things you can do is to have a good plan. Plan by telling someone where you're going. I would even say: 'This is exactly where I'm going and I want to be home at this time.' Take good communications with you, so if you get stuck up there you can actually call someone to come get you. Take a friend with you. Take water and food with you to last a day or so in case you get stuck up there and need sustenance."

Mayle had a cellphone and a hydration pack with him when he left for the hike Saturday.

As for Johnson, he is sad that Mayle died on the mountain, but glad to know the young man's family now has some answers.

"I just want to send my condolences to the family," he said. "I hope they are doing well. I'm glad I could help, even if it was the littlest possible way, just that little feeling that I had to call."

Related topics