A former Czech student who moved to Taiwan in 2012 has carved out an extraordinary role for himself as an unofficial mountain search and rescue specialist, often continuing searches after official efforts have been called off. His dedication to navigating Taiwan's more than 250 peaks exceeding 3,000 metres has led him to find both survivors and, tragically, a greater number of deceased hikers over the past five years.
His journey into this perilous work began in October 2021, when he decided to search for a man missing after a typhoon. Despite initial unsuccessful attempts and the fire department calling off their search after two weeks, the man's family approached him. He embarked on a gruelling three-day search, covering 67km with an elevation gain of 6,800 metres. After 29 days, he tragically located the experienced hiker's body, trapped between rocks in a stream, a stark reminder of the mountains' unforgiving nature.
This harrowing discovery, which he filmed and posted online, led to numerous requests for his help. He now frequently assists families and sometimes works alongside the fire department, particularly when official progress stagnates. His methodical approach involves meticulous map analysis, leveraging last-known phone signals, and reviewing trailhead CCTV footage. Crucially, he and his wife, Eva, also interview relatives to understand the missing person's state of mind and experience level.
Despite the emotional toll, he describes his work as providing a profound sense of purpose. While he has successfully rescued seven individuals, he notes that the number of those he finds deceased is higher. He stresses that most fatalities occur when hikers, lacking downloaded maps, make the critical error of descending into Taiwan's notoriously vertical valleys, often leading to fatal falls.
The search and rescue operations are a side endeavour for him; his primary income comes from co-hosting the Formosa Trail, a mountain race in Taiwan, with his wife. The family of the hiker he found in 2021 paid him 300,000 NTD (approximately £7,200) and a day rate of 15,000 NTD (£360), a testament to the value placed on his unique skills and dedication.