Parents of missing hiker fearing worst after two weeks lost
The elderly parents of a hiker missing in Victoria’s alpine region say he was “on top of the world” before setting off two weeks ago. Hopes are now fading for the safe return of Niels Becker, despite extensive search efforts.
VIC News
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The parents of missing hiker Niels Becker are pleading for help to find their son, who vanished after setting off on alpine hike two weeks ago.
The jazz musician and poet had spent six months preparing for the gruelling five-day hike, which was to mark his 39th birthday.
His parents Peer and Johanna Becker said he was “on top of the world” before he set off from their Hampton home on October 24.
But hopes he will he found alive are quickly fading, as extensive search efforts fail to detect any sign of him.
“Last week we were so positive,” Ms Becker said.
“Our daughter was saying he would come out with some topic story to tell the family.
“But I think after Tuesday and yesterday, we are not so optimistic.”
Mr Becker had dedicated much of the past six months to training for the hike, which set off from Upper Jamieson Hut near Mt Buller on October 24.
Mr Becker would walk with his rucksack up to several hours each day in preparation for the challenge, Peer Becker said.
“He was making sure he was strong and fit and was exercising all the time,” he said.
The hike was the longest Mr Becker had ever attempted, and was his way of celebrating his 39th birthday.
Before he left, he agreed he would stay safe and stay inside a hut if the weather turned.
“He was really looking forward to it,” Peer Becker said.
Mr Becker is an extremely experienced hiker.
He spent a year hiking Mt Timbertop when he was younger and is a keen skier.
He was equipped with hiking and ski equipment, as well as his mother’s mobile phone.
However, the mobile is an old model and the battery would have run flat by now.
His last text message to his parents was sent from the Vallejo Gantner Hut on October 26 saying he intended to walk to Mount Stirling.
He added the mobile reception was poor.
His parents were expecting him to call days later but he never did.
His parents are desperately appealing for anyone who may have seen him on his hike to contact police.
They praised the extensive search efforts over the past week.
“They have covered most of the area so we are starting to get a little more worried,” his dad said.
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Mr Becker lives with his parents in Hampton and is a keen musician, poet and much-loved uncle.
Most of his poems related to Victoria’s alpine region, where he spends a lot of time.
There have been multiple unconfirmed sightings of Mr Becker since his disappearance.
A group of hikers reported seeing a solo male hiker wearing waterproof Gator boots, shorts and a beanie on the alpine track.
All sightings are being investigated by police.