Aerial search operations for Canadian mountain runner Kalie McCrystal have been stopped after multiple helicopter sweeps of the Italian side of the Matterhorn failed to locate the 38-year-old athlete and lawyer from Squamish, British Columbia.
The helicopter search, which was specifically dedicated to finding McCrystal, was called off following a full day of aerial searches on Thursday that yielded no signs of her. McCrystal was last spotted on Tuesday above the Jean-Antoine Carrel hut, at an elevation of about 3,830 meters, as she was heading towards the summit.
Initially, rescuers utilized a large air ambulance helicopter, but later switched to a smaller aircraft that could maneuver closer to the mountain’s steep rock faces and narrow gullies in hopes of spotting McCrystal. Valerio Segor from the Valle d’Aosta mountain rescue service mentioned that despite the efforts, nothing was seen.
While a mountain guide did have a brief encounter with McCrystal above the Carrel hut, no further sightings have been reported since then. The Matterhorn, standing at 4,478 meters, is one of the most iconic peaks in the Alps, straddling the border between Italy and Switzerland.
McCrystal had been staying in the Cervinia area in northwestern Italy, preparing for a challenging climb and descent of the Matterhorn in under five hours via the Lion Ridge, the primary route from the Italian side. Her disappearance triggered an extensive search of the mountain, with crews scouring the steep gullies, cliff bands, and various sections of the route on both the Italian and Swiss sides.
Efforts were made to locate McCrystal using a helicopter-mounted RECCO detector, which can detect reflectors integrated into certain outdoor gear. However, no signals were detected from any RECCO beacons on either side of the border. Additionally, attempts to establish contact through McCrystal’s cellphone proved unsuccessful.
Known for her skyrunning expertise, McCrystal is a prominent Canadian skyrunner who competes in challenging mountain terrains at high altitudes. Earlier this year, she triumphed in Argentina’s 4 Refugios Non-Stop race, covering approximately 40 kilometers with 3,350 meters of elevation gain.
Despite the suspension of the helicopter search, mountain guides familiar with the area continue to keep an eye out for any signs of McCrystal. Rescuers are awaiting further information from the authorities, which could potentially lead to a more targeted search effort. Global Affairs Canada has been contacted for additional updates on the situation.
