TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A Chinese American woman surnamed Yeh (葉) was found dead after a multiday search and rescue effort which concluded on Tuesday (April 25), per UDN.

The deceased 56-year-old female professor had begun her travels on April 18th. She was part of a six-person mountaineering team that planned a six-day hike in Nantou County to conclude in Aowanda National Forest.

The group had been traveling on the Nenggao-Andongjun trail when tragedy befell. Heavy rain and cold weather slowed their progress and separated the group into two teams.

Rescuers came across the guide, surnamed Chen (陳), on Saturday (April 21), though he was lifeless, having suffered an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Two days earlier, Chen had contacted assistants saying he was suffering from hypothermia and the U.S. hiker had altitude sickness.

A helicopter rescue could not be completed due to poor weather. Better weather on Tuesday allowed rescuers to access more areas, and the body of the U.S. hiker and her guide were airlifted out.

An ill-fated hiking trip covered very remote, challenging terrain. (Hualien County Fire Dept. photo)