A close friend of a Canadian athlete who disappeared on the Matterhorn mountain shares that the mountain running community in Squamish, British Columbia, eagerly awaits her safe return. Kalie McCrystal, a prominent mountain athlete from Squamish, was last sighted on September 1 near the Jean-Antoine Carrel hut at an approximate altitude of 3,830 meters.
Efforts by search and rescue teams to locate her have been undertaken, but the helicopter operations were halted after an entire day of aerial searches on Thursday yielded no leads. Duncan O’Regan, a friend of McCrystal, expressed the community’s desire for her safe homecoming, emphasizing their longing for her presence.
McCrystal, a 38-year-old lawyer, was aiming to set a speed record by ascending and descending the Matterhorn in under five hours via the Lion Ridge, the primary route from the Italian side. O’Regan, a fellow mountain runner, affirmed her capabilities for such a feat, citing her prior accomplishments in more challenging endeavors.
Recognized as an expert skyrunner, McCrystal combines trail running with mountaineering, showcasing remarkable skills in rugged terrains. Her recent notable achievements include securing the fastest known female time for Squamish’s Tantalus Traverse and placing fourth in the women’s category of the Trofeo Kima skyrunning race in Italy.
Capilano University, where McCrystal serves as a faculty member, extended condolences and support, while Global Affairs Canada confirmed awareness of the situation and ongoing coordination with local authorities. O’Regan reiterated the community’s collective hope for McCrystal’s swift return, emphasizing the widespread yearning for her presence back in Squamish.
