The search efforts via helicopter for Canadian mountain runner Kalie McCrystal have been stopped after multiple aerial scans of the Italian side of the Matterhorn failed to locate the 38-year-old athlete and lawyer from Squamish, B.C. The helicopter operation was discontinued following a full day of searches on Thursday that yielded no signs of her.
McCrystal was last sighted on Tuesday near the Jean-Antoine Carrel hut, at an elevation of about 3,830 meters, heading towards the summit. Initially, rescuers utilized a large air ambulance helicopter, then switched to a smaller aircraft capable of navigating closer to the mountain’s steep rock faces and narrow gullies.
Valerio Segor from the Valle d’Aosta mountain rescue service mentioned, “We transitioned to a smaller helicopter that can approach the cliffs and explore the couloirs. However, no traces were found.” The most recent confirmed sighting was when a mountain guide encountered McCrystal above the Carrel hut.
The Matterhorn, standing at 4,478 meters, is one of the most recognizable peaks in the Alps, straddling Italy and Switzerland. McCrystal had been in the Cervinia area of northwestern Italy, preparing for a climb and descent of the Matterhorn in under five hours via the Lion Ridge route.
Following her disappearance, an extensive search of the mountain was conducted, covering steep gullies, cliff bands, and sections of both the Italian and Swiss routes. The rescue team also utilized a helicopter-mounted RECCO detector to locate any compatible reflectors in McCrystal’s gear, but no signals were detected.
McCrystal, known as one of Canada’s top skyrunners, had a notable track record in skyrunning events, including winning Argentina’s 4 Refugios Non-Stop earlier this year. Despite the suspension of the helicopter operation, mountain guides are still actively scanning the area, with hopes of receiving new information from the authorities to resume a targeted search.
CBC News has reached out to Global Affairs Canada for further updates on the situation.