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A Peruvian rescue team is scouring a remote part of the mountains for a Melbourne man who set out on a solo hike 13 days ago and has not been heard from since.
Jordan Yap, 30, embarked on a hiking trip through the remote Huayhuash mountain range on September 14.
He told friends and family he was going to be off the grid for 10 days to complete the high-altitude trek, but failed to check in back at his hotel and missed a scheduled flight several days later.
Family reported him missing after he failed to check in with his partner, Anita. Private rescuers later told them that other hikers last reported seeing him on day three of his hike.
“It is extremely out of character for him to be out of contact, and if he could manage to, he would know how worried we all are and make every effort to get a message across,” Anita said. “So that’s why we’re very, very worried right now.”
The Huayhuash circuit is known for its steep, rugged terrain and is considered one of Peru’s most challenging mountain routes.
According to his family, Jordan is an experienced traveller and previously solo hiked across Australia, China, Turkey and Jordan.
“He’s an avid outdoor person. In winter time, he will spend most weekends on the snow field, even though he didn’t have a lot of luck with the weather, he loves hiking,” Jordan’s father, Vinh Dao, said.
Before leaving for Peru, Jordan attempted to find other people to join him on the trek, but decided to go on his own when no one was available.
After struggling to get in contact with Peruvian authorities to help search for their son, the family hired local mountain rescue organisation, Socorro Andino Peruano.
The family said a rescue team was deployed Friday at 3am Melbourne time.
Vinh said he and his wife were preparing to fly to Peru and are urging the Australian government and the Department of Foreign Affairs to liaise with local authorities to assist with search efforts.
“We’re very concerned. While we’ve had some progress we’d really like it for DFAT to apply pressure on the local police and the government because time is of the essence, and it’s really critical now,” Vinh said.
A DFAT spokesperson said they were providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian reported missing in Peru.
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