THE tight-knit community of Casteron is in shock about the disappearance of a former resident.
Fears are held for the the welfare of Sophie Dowsley, who is believed to have gone on a day hike near Harrison Hot Springs in Canada on July 8 with her partner Greg Tiffin.
The pair never returned home.
Ms Dowsley’s father Peter is a well-known farmer near Casterton.
A number of residents expressed their shock about the disappearance.
“It’s so sad,” said one Casterton resident.
Mr Dowsley, who has flown to Canada, told CTV Vancouver News he was desperate for answers.
“We just hope they’re alive,” he said. “We think in our heart of hearts they might be. We just need to know.”
Mr Dowsley said the place they were hiking was a “very dangerous place”.
“The terrain is just absolutely stunningly beautiful and rugged and unforgiving,” he said.
“Obviously the only people that can be in there are trained professionals.”
Searchers have located the couple’s SUV, Dowsley’s sunglasses and some of Mr Tiffin’s personal items.
One official told CTV Vancouver News the location was a “waterfall with a history of fatalaties”.
A friend of Mr Tiffin’s, who did not want to be named, told The Standard her friend was an experienced hiker.
“He is always very well prepared and he's generally not a risk taker,” she said.
“I believe he would do anything and everything to protect Sophie and himself. But clearly something went wrong. It's awful.”
Mr Tiffin’s brother Jeremy told CTV Vancouver News his sibling would have gone to the hike prepared, including the route he was taken.
