The search for bushwalker Prabh Srawn is attracting volunteers from across the globe, almost one month after the Canadian man went missing in the Snowy Mountains.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
About 30 volunteers and family members are now involved in the search efforts, working within a narrowed search area after the family received data relating to the 25-year-old's mobile phone.
Unmanned drones are also aiding efforts, with crafts from Perth-based company COPTERCAM taking off above the Kosciuszko National Park earlier this week.
Company founder Hai Tran said his staff were currently in Melbourne with work commitments, but hoped to rejoin the search for Mr Srawn before the weekend.
''At this stage, we might be back later this week,'' he said. ''It also depends on if the weather clears. If it starts to snow, there's no point us being there.''
Another Western Australian company, Cyber Technology, is also aiding the search efforts.
While Cyber Technology has captured some footage, Mr Tran said Coptercam's mapping drone was yet to take photos. It has been in the air twice to test the craft at altitude.
Once operational, it is expected to cover a square kilometre at a time, using an onboard camera to take approximately 200 photos that would later be examined by volunteers.
''None of these drones have ever operated at these altitudes before,'' Mr Tran said.
''The manufacturers claim the aircraft can fly up to 3000 metres. We took off at 2000 metres and we were probably the first customers to test these altitudes.''
Mr Srawn's family approached Coptercam on Friday, with the missing student's cousin, Tej Sahota, saying the company had refused any payment.
Dr Sahota said former police officers and off-duty army reservists were among the ''vast amount'' of people who had volunteered without payment, as well as a pair of English climbers who were flying in from London at their own expense.
''We're making sure it's only serious people,'' he said. ''I just don't want to risk anyone else up there.''
Volunteers are now working with phone data provided to the family, showing the area from where Mr Srawn's mobile last sent a signal.
Dr Sahota said the triangulation data had narrowed the search to an area stretching from Lake Albina to Lady Northcote Canyon, left of Mount Townsend, where teams were working in from the perimeter.
He said there had been some increased interest in the search efforts since the family doubled the reward to $100,000 at the weekend, adding that half-a-dozen volunteers had come forward in the past few hours.
The increased reward is accompanied by a daily $250 stipend for any participating searcher who ''fulfils the requirements'', with the family emphasising volunteers need to be experienced hikers who register with the police and carry GPS equipment.
''They're so focused on getting Prabh out,'' he said. ''We'll worry about emotion later.''
Despite some frustrations with authorities, Dr Sahota said the family was thankful to the volunteers who had given up their time and expertise.
''These are just Australians from all walks of life that have been reaching out,'' he said.
''We're not giving up the search. One way or another, he's up there.''
The NSW Police have scaled back the search efforts and the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter officially withdrew from the search last week.
The family of the Bond University student plans to stay in Jindabyne until searchers find Mr Srawn, who was last seen when he parked his car at Charlotte Pass Village on May 13. He was in a white T-shirt and jeans.
