Jordan Yap was located deceased in the Peruvian Andes following an extensive search that lasted nearly three weeks, his relatives and close friends confirmed on Saturday (10). The 30-year-old Australian hiker from Melbourne had vanished during a solo high-altitude journey across the rugged Huayhuash mountain range, situated roughly 400 kilometers northeast of Lima.
Jordan Yap missed scheduled hostel checkout and flight to Cusco
The alarm over Yap’s safety was raised when he failed to return to the Krusty Hostel in the city of Huaraz on September 23, 2026, which was his scheduled completion date. Concern escalated sharply after the Australian traveler subsequently failed to board a planned domestic flight from Lima to Cusco on September 24, 2026. Yap had made his final contact with loved ones on September 14, 2026, just before setting off on the planned 10-day journey. Adding to the logistical difficulties for emergency teams, Yap had misplaced his personal satellite beacon a few days prior to beginning the 120-kilometer hike, eliminating any real-time tracking signals.
Rescue operations across the Huayhuash mountain range
Following his disappearance, relatives coordinated with long-time friend Kevin Nguyen to launch an urgent search initiative. The family financed a private mountain rescue crew and partnered directly with the local volunteer rescue organization Socorro Andino Peruano to retrace the remote paths of the circuit. The Huayhuash trail is widely recognized among international mountaineers as one of the most physically demanding alpine routes in the world, with prolonged segments crossing desolate terrain at elevations surpassing 4,000 meters. Yap had prepared for the expedition for approximately one year, having previously completed independent solo hikes across regions of China, Turkey, and Jordan.
On Saturday (10), Yap’s family and friends announced the outcome of the search through a public statement on social media platforms. “with a heavy heart we are sorry to tell you Jordan has been found, and he did not survive,” the statement read. The message expressed gratitude to the various teams involved: “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 tribute also urged acquaintances and supporters to remember his character. “Please remember Jordan as the vibrant man he was, and for the immense joy he brought to so many people’s lives,” his family wrote.
Consular assistance and pending official reports in Peru
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed that diplomatic staff are offering direct assistance to the hiker’s relatives during the repatriation process. A spokesperson for the department extended sympathy while noting institutional limits on releasing personal records. “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 official stated.
Peruvian authorities and Australian government representatives have not yet released the official cause of death or detailed the precise circumstances surrounding the incident along the trail. While regional mountaineering groups noted recovery activity in high-altitude sectors near Lake Mitucocha above 4,000 meters, officials have not confirmed the specific geographic coordinates where his body was located. Consular staff and local police continue to handle administrative procedures following the conclusion of the field search in Peru.
