A helicopter search for Kalie McCrystal, a Canadian mountain runner, has been called off after numerous aerial scans of the Italian side of the Matterhorn failed to locate the 38-year-old athlete and lawyer from Squamish, British Columbia. Despite a full day of aerial searches on Thursday, McCrystal remains missing.
McCrystal was last spotted on Tuesday near the Jean-Antoine Carrel hut at an elevation of approximately 3,830 meters, heading towards the summit. Initially, rescuers used a large air ambulance helicopter, later switching to a smaller aircraft capable of navigating closer to the mountain’s rugged cliffs and narrow gullies. Despite these efforts, no sign of McCrystal was found.
The most recent confirmed sighting occurred when a mountain guide encountered McCrystal above the Carrel hut. McCrystal mentioned to the guide that she was training to attempt a record ascent, but no further sightings have been reported.
The Matterhorn, standing at 4,478 meters, is a prominent peak in the Alps, straddling the border between Italy and Switzerland. McCrystal had been in the Cervinia area of northwestern Italy, preparing for a rapid climb and descent of the Matterhorn via the Lion Ridge route.
Despite the suspension of the dedicated helicopter search, mountain guides familiar with the area are continuing to scan the mountain for any signs of McCrystal. Authorities are also awaiting potential leads from the police to facilitate a more focused search effort. CBC News contacted Global Affairs Canada for updates on the situation.