Huge search operation is launched for woman, 38, who went missing three days ago while trying climb one of Australia's tallest mountains in freezing temperatures
- A woman who went missing in harsh mountains has sparked a desperate search
- She told her family she was climbing Bluff Knoll but has not been seen ever since
- Temperatures below zero were recorded on Friday in the often snowy ranges
A missing woman who has not been seen for three days after setting out to climb one of the tallest mountains in Australia has sparked a desperate search effort.
Perth woman Lorjie Tonguia Bautista, 38, was last seen by herself when she left to climb Bluff Knoll in WA's Stirling Ranges at 4am on Tuesday.
There are 'grave concerns' for her as police and the State Emergency Service (SES) scour the wilderness that experienced freezing temperatures on Friday.
Perth woman Lorjie Tonguia Bautista (pictured), 38, was last seen by herself when she left to climb Bluff Knoll in WA's Stirling Ranges at 4am on Tuesday
There are 'grave concerns' for her as police (pictured) and the State Emergency Service (SES) scour the wilderness that experienced freezing temperatures on Friday
Ms Bautista told her family she was going to climb Bluff Knoll during her time off work.
She checked out of Stirling Range Retreat where she was staying early on Tuesday.
A retreat employee found her unattended Subaru hatchback at the Bluff Knoll car park after Ms Bautista's concerned husband called them.
A police helicopter using thermal imaging, civilian aircraft, dozens of police officers and SES volunteers and a tracker dog are scouring the cold wilderness for her.
Great Southern Police Senior Inspector Alex Ryan said they 'have grave concerns for her welfare'.
'Overnight temperatures are pretty low so we're concerned about that in relation to her welfare,' he said to The West Australian.
'But the terrain is particularly difficult. It's precipitous and very hard to search.'
They have also set up 'defined search areas' from the top of the mountain to the bottom that are being combed on foot.
Ms Bautista (pictured) told her family she was going to climb Bluff Knoll during her time off work. Her concerned husband called the retreat to investigate
'Our search at Bluff Knoll is continuing. The following photo shows the terrain being searched,' WA Police captioned the photo on Facebook
Bluff Knoll is one of the few places with regular snowfall in Western Australia.
A temperature of -0.5C was recorded at the Stirling South weather station at the base of the mountain at 6am on Friday.
The peak of the mountain would have been much colder because of the higher altitude and wind-chill factor.
It is the highest peak of the Stirling Ranges in the Great Southern region of Western Australia.
At 1,099 metres tall, it is the 13th tallest peak in all of Australia.
Ms Bautista checked out of Stirling Range Retreat (pictured) where she was staying early on Tuesday. A retreat employee found her unattended car
Bluff Knoll is one of the few places with regular snowfall in Western Australia. A temperature of -0.5C was recorded at the Stirling South weather station at 6am on Friday
Ms Bautista has a slim build, is 157cm tall and has olive skin with black hair.
She was last seen wearing a grey jumper, black jacket, blue jeans and red and black runners.
Anyone with information of her whereabouts should contact police on 131 444.
A police helicopter using thermal imaging (pictured), civilian aircraft, dozens of police officers and SES volunteers and a tracker dog are scouring the cold wilderness for her
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