Peru: Police rescue U.S. tourist after trekking accident in Cordillera Blanca

17:00 | Huaraz (Ancash region), Mar. 11.

A 19-year-old U.S. tourist was rescued after becoming stranded while trekking near Lake Rajucolta, in the Cordillera Blanca (White Mountain Range), within Huascaran National Park, in Ancash region's highland zone.

The young man, identified as Ryan Erikson, had suffered a fall while trekking alone along this high-mountain route, located at more than 4,200 meters above sea level.

Following the accident, he managed to send a distress signal using a satellite device, which activated an international emergency system.

The alert allowed the Peruvian National Police to launch a search operation during the night of Tuesday, March 10.

Specialized personnel from the High Mountain and Tourism Units were deployed, with support from the National Service for Natural Areas Protected by the State (Sernanp) and the Asociacion Socorro Andino Peruano (Peruvian High Mountain Rescue Association).

After several hours of work in adverse weather conditions and within a hard-to-reach area, rescuers managed to locate the trekker in the Rajucolta sector.


The young man was experiencing difficulties related to the altitude and the fall. Therefore, he received first aid at the scene before being evacuated to the city of Huaraz.

During the transfer, a landslide was reported along the route, which complicated the rescue team's movement.

Despite this, the tourist was taken to Victor Ramos Guardia Hospital, where he remains hospitalized under medical observation and is in stable condition.

The Regional Directorate of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Dircetur) in Ancash, as part of the Tourist Protection Network, reported that the emergency protocol was activated immediately after the alert was received, enabling coordination of the response by the different institutions involved.

(END) MRV/MAO/MVB

Published: 3/11/2026