Missing. Found. Home.

The Ian Treger Foundation
Peru’s volunteer search and rescue teams do some of the hardest work in the mountains, often with less gear and training than the terrain demands. The Ian Treger Foundation exists to change that, funding equipment and hands-on training so teams are ready before someone goes missing.
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See What We Do

ABOUT IAN

“Ian never wanted the postcard version of anywhere.”

He was curious about people — their traditions, their songs, the stories they told about the places they lived. He traveled to see the real thing: the landscapes, the language, the ordinary afternoons.

What is left of that curiosity is a collection of photographs, scattered across countries and years. They are not a gallery. They are memories being found again.

Then one journey ended differently.

Nothing could have changed what happened to Ian.

But other rescues can end differently.

The Andes · Peru

When someone goes missing here, the terrain doesn't wait.

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The reality of rescue

Every team deserves the training and tools to match their courage.

Ropes

Static line, hardware and anchors — the difference between reaching someone and watching from above.

Radios

Terrain swallows signal. Communication keeps a search coordinated instead of scattered.

Cold-weather gear

Altitude turns night into a second emergency, for the missing person and the team.

Medical supplies

Stabilizing someone on the mountain, hours before a hospital is possible.

Training

We send search and rescue trainers, mountain guides, doctors, nurses, and technical rescue personnel to Peru to train.

Training

Gear matters. Knowing how to use it matters more.

The foundation funds trips for experienced trainers to work directly with Peruvian volunteer search and rescue teams on technical rescue skills.
For Search & Rescue Professionals

The journey

The places Ian went. The people he met. The life he lived.

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The foundation

His story is why we started. Rescue readiness is what we do.

His story is why we started. Rescue readiness is what we do.
What We Fund

Equipment. Training. Gear that keeps moving.

See What We Do

01

Equipment

Gear for volunteer search and rescue teams working in Peru’s mountains — ropes, radios, packs, cold-weather equipment, and medical supplies.

02

Training

Funded trips for experienced trainers to work directly with local teams on technical rescue skills.

03

Gear Donation

A developing program for travelers to donate gently used gear before leaving Peru — boots, jackets, backpacks, headlamps.

The next person who goes missing has a team looking for them.

Let’s make sure that team has what it needs.
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bring your expertise!

Missing.

Found.

Home.

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The Ian Treger Foundation

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