The search via helicopter for Canadian mountain runner Kalie McCrystal has been halted following multiple aerial scans of the Italian side of the Matterhorn which did not lead to locating the 38-year-old athlete and lawyer from Squamish, B.C.
The helicopter mission was discontinued after an entire day of air searches on Thursday yielded no signs of her whereabouts.
McCrystal was last sighted on Tuesday near the Jean-Antoine Carrel hut, at an elevation of approximately 3,830 meters, progressing towards the summit.
Initially, rescuers utilized a large air ambulance helicopter before transitioning to a smaller aircraft capable of getting closer to the mountain’s steep rock surfaces and narrow valleys.
“We shifted to a significantly smaller helicopter that can approach the cliffs and explore the gullies,” Valerio Segor of the Valle d’Aosta mountain rescue service informed CBC. “Unfortunately, they did not spot anything.”
The most recent confirmed interaction occurred when a mountain guide crossed paths with McCrystal above the Carrel hut.
The Matterhorn, one of the most recognizable peaks in the Alps, stands at 4,478 meters, spanning the borders of Italy and Switzerland.
McCrystal had been residing in the Cervinia region of northwestern Italy, gearing up for an endeavor to ascend and descend the Matterhorn in under five hours through the Lion Ridge, the primary route from the Italian side.
Following her disappearance, an extensive search of the mountain was initiated, scouring steep valleys, cliff sections, and segments of the pathway on both the Italian and Swiss sides.
Efforts also included utilizing a helicopter-mounted RECCO detector, a radar system designed to locate compatible reflectors integrated into certain outdoor gear. Authorities were informed by a friend that McCrystal might have had one in her backpack.
Despite employing various methods, including trying to establish a signal from McCrystal’s cellphone, no success was achieved.
McCrystal is a prominent skyrunner in Canada, participating in challenging races over rugged mountain landscapes at high altitudes.
Earlier this year, she triumphed in Argentina’s 4 Refugios Non-Stop, covering approximately 40 kilometers with an elevation gain of 3,350 meters.
She had recently attempted the Matterhorn, completing a solo ascent and descent from Zermatt through the Swiss Hörnli Ridge in six hours, 47 minutes, and 33 seconds, as documented in the Fastest Known Time database.
Although the dedicated helicopter search has been suspended, efforts are ongoing with mountain guides actively scouting the area daily and awaiting further details from the authorities to resume a more targeted search.
Global Affairs Canada has been contacted for comment by CBC News, awaiting a response.