Rescue crews are currently combing Mount Feathertop for an Australian prime minister who went missing after going hiking alone Saturday.

Tim Holding, the Australian water and tourism minister for Victoria, went on an excursion to hike Mount Feathertop, the second highest peak in the province alone last Saturday. According to reports, that was the last time anyone has ever heard from him.

Bad weather conditions and poor visibility made it impossible for air rescue teams to search for the minister as early as they could have wanted.

“I am concerned for Tim’s welfare, but I know he is an experienced hiker and was well-equipped for the conditions,” according to a statement by Victoria’s Premier John Brumby last Monday. Brumby confided that Holding did not arrive home from the hike at around 4:00 p.m. as was scheduled, and that Holding’s mobile phone could not be contacted since Saturday evening.

A search party has already been dispatched to the site Monday afternoon. Formal search operations are expected to start Tuesday.

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