An English instructor aged 29 from Virginia was discovered deceased following his departure to ascend Nevado Ausangate — the fifth tallest peak in Peru — roughly a month prior.
Ian Thomas Treger was a passionate hiker who has tackled some of the toughest trails across the globe.
His mother, Michelle Ludwig, informed the Daily Mail that her son had departed from his AirBnB On May 13th. After not hearing from him for almost two weeks, she notified local officials.
Ludwig emotionally shared with the Daily Mail on Wednesday that her cherished son's body was discovered not long from the walking path he intended to hike.
"A herder who tends to the fields alongside his alpacas located my son yesterday," Ludwig stated.
The authorities informed us it was an incident during a hike and that he was alone. I can't figure out how this occurred. He was an experienced hiker who frequently trekked at high elevations.
Peruvian authorities from the High Mountain Police stated that a corpse showing signs of advanced decay, featuring blonde hair and attire resembling items owned by Treger, was discovered near a tiny creek on June 30.
The remnants were discovered near a tiny creek located north of the path, inside the area under the authority of the Pitumarca district in the Cusco region of Canchis.
Ludwig traveled to Peru and has been carefully following the search for his son over the last two weeks.
She mentioned she had expected more positive information, yet the police stated they would keep looking into precisely what occurred to her son.
They've dismissed the possibility of foul play," she said to the Daily Mail. "His belongings were discovered close to him, and nothing appeared to be gone.
Ludwig mentioned that her son's backpack was discovered close to the body, containing his costly photographic equipment, movies, and wallet, iPhone and other hiking items.
They haven't reached a decision on it yet," an emotionally shaken Ludwig stated. "They're still looking into it, but this is the type of trek he has undertaken many times before. He's done it in Tasmania and traveled through the Australian wilderness.
He was at a high elevation while staying at the [Josè Rivas Refuge on the Cotopaxi Volcano] in Ecuador, which stands at 15,000 feet. I am shocked, but we still haven’t found out what occurred.
The father of Ludwig and Treger, Neil, issued a message to the press expressing gratitude to local officials for conducting the search for his son:
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the discovery of Ian's remains in Peru. Our hearts are shattered, and we continue to come to terms with this heartbreaking loss. We would like to express our most sincere thanks to both the American and Peruvian officials who dedicated themselves fully to this search, along with the volunteers who offered their time, strength, and kindness in the quest to return Ian home.
We would like to sincerely thank all those who kept Ian and our family in their thoughts during this difficult time. Your belief, encouragement, and compassion have been beyond measure for us. Ian possessed a strong interest in the world around him and cherished discovering different customs and histories, be it through spending time with his favorite German host family, traveling extensively, or visiting museums in unfamiliar cities.
Treger spent his childhood in Effinger, Virginia, during which time he participated in the Boy Scouts and ultimately achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.
He earned a Wilderness First Aid credential during his time at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia.
In his final year, he guided an Appalachian Adventure trip for the school prior to earning his diploma in 2020.
As per his Instagram page, Treger had extensive travel experiences, with his final update depicting him in Ecuador on April 16.
When questioned about the source of her son's love for adventures, the affectionate mother responded, "I believe it stems from genetics inherited from my own mother. She used to say that we're not lost—we're embarking on a fresh journey."
Ludwig mentioned that her son went to Peru following the conclusion of his teaching season at the Galápagos Language Academy in Ecuador.
She mentioned that her son wished to participate in Jubilee Month, an event lasting a full month held in Cusco, a city located in the Peruvian Andes.
Ian enjoyed exploring new countries via their music and customs just as much as their scenery," the family stated. "Throughout everything, he maintained the same sharp humor and warm grin that could brighten any situation, which made him deeply cherished by everyone who knew him.
It's hard for us to envision a world without Ian.
The family is currently organizing efforts to repatriate Treger's body to the United States.
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