Australian Hiker Found Dead in Peru After Solo Trek
Jordan Yap, 30, was reported missing on September 14 after failing to make contact during a 10-day hike in the Huayhuash mountain range.
An Australian hiker, Jordan Yap, has been found dead in Peru following a solo trek in the Huayhuash mountain range. Yap, 30, last made contact with friends and family on September 14, ahead of a planned 10-day hike in the remote Andes mountains, located approximately 400 kilometers northeast of Lima.
His family and friends raised the alarm when Yap failed to collect his belongings from a hostel and missed a subsequent flight from Lima to Cusco. They subsequently hired a private mountain rescue team to aid in the search.
Friends and family confirmed Yap's death on social media, expressing gratitude for the extensive search efforts. "With a heavy heart we are so sorry to tell you Jordan has been found, and he did not survive," a statement read. "We want to thank everyone who has helped; friends and family, the contributors, the search teams, the police, the many groups we engaged with who gave their time and effort, everyone who helped to share on social media. We are appreciative of all of you."
The ABC reported that local authorities informed Yap's loved ones that his body was discovered in the Mitucocha Lagoon area, a high-altitude lake in central Peru. His family had held out hope for his survival, with a friend noting Yap's navigational skills and adventurous spirit. "I know Jordan likes to orienteer and navigate and he's quite an adventurer himself, so I wouldn't be surprised if he tried an alternative route," long-time friend Kevin Nguyen told AAP.
Yap, a Melbourne resident, had been planning the trek for over a year and had recently acquired a GPS watch to assist with navigation. He was described as an experienced hiker who had previously completed trails in 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," Yap's father, Vinh Dao, had previously stated.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed that officials were providing assistance to the family of the Australian who died in Peru and extended their condolences.