One of Lonely Planet’s most experienced travel survival writers is missing in a remote mountain region of Tibet.

Clem Lindenmayer, who has contributed to a number of books published by the travel guide organisation, including a popular guide to surviving in China, disappeared more than a month ago while hiking alone near Minya Konka mountain, also known as Gongga Shan.

Mr Lindenmayer, 47, who is from Australia, has written for the travel publisher for more than a decade. He has contributed to books on climbing in the European Alps, walking in Switzerland, trekking in Patagonia and hiking in the United States.

The most recent contact with Mr Lindenmayer took place on May 2 when he sent an e-mail to his family in Melbourne from Kangding, a city in Sichuan province in southwest China, near the unofficial Tibetan border.

A contributor to Lonely Planet’s Thorn Tree forum, named as Heather and identified as a member of Mr Lindenmayer’s family, said in an internet posting a week ago: “We are looking for Clem Lindenmayer who we believe is missing in the area of Kangding, a city on the unofficial border of Tibet.

“Clem is a 47-year-old, very fit Australian male with a ready smile. He is well built, approximately 183cm (6ft) tall with grey/brown hair and a short greying beard. He speaks Mandarin, German, Spanish and English.” The posting added: “Clem has not been in contact with his family since May 2.

His last e-mail was sent from Kangding and his intention at that stage was to do a six-day circuit around Mount Gongga. If he completed this circuit we would have expected him to be back in contact on or about May 10.”

In another posting on the Thorn Tree forum, Mr Lindenmayer’s father confirms that his son’s disappearance has been reported to the authorities in China and Australia. He adds: “Clem normally replies to our e-mails but does not give details of his treks until he returns. He has not replied to our recent e-mails, including about some matters that we handle on his behalf.”

It is believed that Mr Lindenmayer was not on a writing assignment when he went missing. However, a spokeswoman for Lonely Planet said that staff were aware of the situation and in touch with his family.

Michael Woodhead, a fellow adventurer and traveller from Sydney, who is familiar with the region, said that exposure and altitude sickness were potential problems but not as great a threat as gangs of bandits in the mountains.

“There is a danger from roaming bands of guys – it happens very rarely, but you do hear stories of people who disappear.

“The local people all carry guns and knives. I’ve been robbed there myself by a bunch of guys with daggers, and a lot carry rifles,” Mr Woodhead said.

Since the first guide, Across Asia on the Cheap, was published in 1973, Lonely Planet has grown into an international publishing empire, with annual sales of more than six million.

Guiding hand

— Clem Lindenmayer spent 20 years living and walking in Switzerland

— He has written guides for Lonely Planet including Trekking in the Patagonian Andes; Walking in Switzerland and contributed to Hiking in the USA

— He has also written on Germany and Sweden for Western Europe on a Shoestring

Sources: lonelyplanet.com;amazon.com

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