An Australian trekker who went missing on a remote South American hiking trail has been found dead, his friends and family have said.
Jordan Yap, 30, of Melbourne, last made contact with friends and family on 14 September, before setting off on a planned 10-day solo trek along Peru’s Huayhuash mountain range, about 400km north-east of Lima.
In a social media post on Saturday, his friends and family said: “With a heavy heart we are sorry to tell you Jordan has been found, and he did not survive.”
They thanked friends and family, contributors, search teams, police and the many groups they engaged with, as well as everyone who helped share information on social media, saying they appreciated all of them.
“Please remember Jordan as the vibrant man he was, and for the immense joy he brought to so many people’s lives,” the post said. “Rest in peace Jordan – from your friends and family.”
Yap was last seen near the beginning of his trek across the Cordillera Huayhuash circuit, which is regarded as a challenging, high-altitude route through the remote Andes mountains. His friends and family considered him a very experienced hiker.
Concern grew after he failed to make contact on his estimated return date, failed to check back into the Krusty hostel in Huaraz and missed a scheduled flight from Lima to Cusco. Days before starting the 120km hike, the avid trekker had misplaced the satellite beacon he was travelling with, raising further concerns.
A spokesperson for Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it was providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian who had died in Peru.
“We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time. Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment,” the spokesperson said.
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