Семья погибшего в Андах туриста учредила фонд для оснащения спасательных команд Перу

Foundation to support Peru search teams created by family of Lexington hiker who died in Andes LEXINGTON, Va. (WDBJ/Ian Treger Foundation Release) - The family of Ian Treger, a Lexington native and Washington & Lee alumnus who died in May 2026 while hiking in Peru’s Andes Mountains, has announced the launch of the Ian Treger Foundation, a nonprofit established on behalf of the Treger family that funds equipment and training for Peru’s volunteer search and rescue teams. The Foundation says it funds two initiatives: “gear for search and rescue teams working in Peru’s mountains, including ropes, radios, cold weather equipment and medical supplies, and funded trips for experienced trainers to work directly with those teams on technical rescue skills. The foundation is also developing a program for travelers to donate gently used gear before leaving Peru.” “Ian never wanted the postcard version of anywhere. He wanted the songs people sang, the traditions they kept, the landscapes they traveled,” said Sarah Treger, Ian’s sister. “Starting this foundation in his name means the way he saw the world keeps helping people find their way home.” The Foundation says it’s is seeking search and rescue trainers, mountain guides, doctors, nurses and technical rescue personnel to help fund and coordinate training trips. Donations go directly toward gear, ropes, radios, cold weather equipment and medical supplies. Travelers heading home from Peru will soon be able to donate used gear at a drop-off point the foundation is developing in Cusco. The organization will hold an annual fundraising event in addition to ongoing fundraising through its website, iantreger.org. The following information about Treger and the Foundation comes from a news release: An experienced hiker, Ian Thomas Treger was just 29 when he died. His death introduced his family to the volunteers who carry out search and rescue in Peru’s mountains, teams with the skill and the will to find someone lost in dangerous terrain but often without enough of the right gear or access to technical training. “Everyone did their part during those weeks -- our entire family, the responders, everyone who helped bring Ian home,” Neil Treger, Ian’s father, said. “Now we’re continuing that same effort through this foundation. This is not a one-time tribute. Our family is committed to building this foundation for years to come.” The foundation’s board of directors includes Sarah Treger, Ian’s sister and a financial planner who shares his love of the outdoors; Bettina Wiedmann, CEO of Experiment e.V., a German exchange organization, and the family’s former host mother; Larry Wiese, executive director and general counsel of Kappa Alpha Order, Ian’s fraternity; Tarek Younes, a consultant with a focus on the outdoors industry; Ethan Ames, a design and build professional with a passion for the outdoors; Sarah Keating, an educational program specialist with a passion for skiing; and Philip Magistro, a technical rescue specialist and EMT who travels to Peru to train volunteer search and rescue teams. Copyright 2026 WDBJ. All rights reserved.