In a dramatic turn of events, four foreign hikers who went missing in the central Philippines were safely rescued on Saturday, March 22, 2025. This rescue comes just a day after two of their companions were found safe following a frantic search operation in the mountainous region surrounding Mount Talinis.
The six-man group, consisting of Germans Aldwin Fink, 60, and Wolfgang Schlenker, 67; Russian Anton Chernov, 38; and Canadian Terry De Gunten, 50, began their trek to Mount Talinis on Wednesday, March 19. Local authorities stated that their excursion was meant to last four hours but soon turned into a harrowing ordeal when they became disoriented.
Rescue officials reported that the group started their hike in Valencia, a municipality known for its rugged terrain and dense vegetation. Their adventure quickly took a dangerous turn due to deteriorating weather conditions. Extremely heavy rainfall created nearly zero visibility, leaving the hikers struggling to navigate the already difficult trails.
Jose Lawrence Silorio, a rescue official, mentioned that during their search, "the army rescuers found them in the vicinity of the Silab hydropower plant,” situated in the Amlan municipality of the Negros Oriental province. The rescue team located the men at around 9:44 am (0144 GMT) on Saturday, reporting that they had to contend with bad weather that hindered both their search and the hikers’ ability to find their way.
Despite the challenging conditions, the determined rescue team managed to reach the lost group. Investigator Leo Gil Villafranca reported, “They told the army they got lost due to the fog.” This fog, officials noted, likely played a significant role in their journey turning from a leisurely hike into a dire situation.
Philippine Army personnel found the hikers in thick vegetation, which complicated their extraction. "They told us they survived by eating edible plants in the forest," said Villafranca. It’s a testament to their resourcefulness that the hikers could endure through such trying circumstances, relying on their surroundings to stay alive.
Local police recognized the challenges posed by the terrain, with Valencia police officer Henry Japay stating, “It was rainy at the time and that led to zero visibility.” He suggested that the hikers might have stopped to take shelter during the rain, further complicating the search as there was no cell phone reception in the area, rendering them unable to call for help.
The rescuers’ efforts were made that much more difficult as they had to coordinate amidst heavy rainfall that hampered aerial searches, which involved volunteers using drones to better assess the expansive mountainous area. Unfortunately, the rescue operation was prolonged due to the challenging weather conditions that characterized the mountainous terrain.
The earlier day, the two companions of the lost group were located by rescuers in a different region of the same area on Friday morning. Those hikers, Torsten Martin Groschupp, 58, and Alexander Radvanyi, 63, were found safe, providing a glimmer of hope as search operations expanded to locate the remaining four.
The successful rescue marks a relief for the families and friends of the hikers after days of uncertainty. Jose Lawrence Silorio noted that once found, “Overall, they are OK, but they had minor abrasions. We wrapped one of them in a blanket because he was feeling cold.” Thankfully, the team’s efforts ensured that all the individuals involved were recovered alive.
Despite the happy outcome, this incident sheds light on the inherent risks associated with hiking in remote and challenging terrains, particularly without a guide. Authorities continue to urge hikers planning excursions in such regions to prioritize safety and be well-prepared for abrupt weather changes.
For now, the community can breathe a sigh of relief, grateful for the hard work put in by local authorities and volunteers who rallied to bring the hikers back to safety. The rescue serves not only as a cautionary tale but also as a reminder of the untamed beauty and potential dangers that such natural landscapes present to adventurers.
