Matterhorn Search for Kalie McCrystal, 38, Suspended After 6 Days With No Trace
Updated
Updated · ExplorersWeb · Sep 7
Matterhorn Search for Kalie McCrystal, 38, Suspended After 6 Days With No Trace
3 articles · Updated · ExplorersWeb · Sep 7
Summary
Helicopter crews halted aerial searches for Kalie McCrystal after combing both the Italian and Swiss sides of the Matterhorn through Thursday without finding her.
RECCO equipment detected no reflector signal and rescuers also found no cellphone signal from the 38-year-old, who was last seen Sept. 1 above Capanna Carrel at 3,830 meters.
McCrystal had gone to the Italian side to scout Lion’s Ridge for a Fastest Known Time attempt, targeting a round trip in under five hours after setting the Hornli route FKT from Zermatt on Aug. 14.
The disappearance comes after a summer of heat-driven rockfalls and route closures on the Matterhorn, where guides had only resumed work and reopened the Carrel hut on Aug. 29 as conditions improved.