The search by helicopter for Canadian mountain runner Kalie McCrystal has been called off 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.
Despite a full day of aerial searches on Thursday, no signs of McCrystal were found, leading to the suspension of the dedicated helicopter operation. McCrystal was last spotted on Tuesday near the Jean-Antoine Carrel hut at an altitude of around 3,830 meters as she headed towards the summit.
Initially deploying a large air ambulance helicopter, rescuers later switched to a smaller aircraft capable of navigating closer to the mountain’s steep cliffs and narrow gullies in the search effort. However, no trace of McCrystal was sighted.
The most recent sighting was when a mountain guide saw McCrystal ascending quickly above the Carrel hut, mentioning her training for a record attempt. Following this encounter, there have been no further sightings of her.
The Matterhorn, standing at 4,478 meters, is among the most recognizable peaks in the Alps, straddling the border between Italy and Switzerland.
McCrystal had been residing in the Cervinia area of northwestern Italy, preparing for a rapid climb and descent of the Matterhorn via the Lion Ridge route. Her disappearance prompted an extensive search of the mountain’s challenging terrain on both the Italian and Swiss sides.
Efforts included the use of a helicopter-mounted RECCO detector to locate any compatible reflectors that might be in McCrystal’s backpack. However, no signals were detected on either side of the mountain. Attempts to track her cellphone signal also yielded no results.
A prominent figure in Canada’s skyrunning community, McCrystal has a history of competing in high-altitude mountain races. 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 halting the helicopter operation, mountain guides familiar with the terrain continue to search for any clues. Authorities are awaiting further information from the police to guide a more targeted search effort.
CBC News has reached out to Global Affairs Canada for a statement, which is pending response.