A companion of a Canadian athlete who has gone missing on the Matterhorn reports that the mountain running community in Squamish, B.C. is hopeful for her safe return.
Kalie McCrystal, a top mountain athlete hailing from Squamish, was last spotted on September 1 above the Jean-Antoine Carrel hut, situated at an elevation of approximately 3,830 meters.
Rescue teams were deployed to locate her, but they recently announced the cessation of helicopter operations after a full day of aerial searches on Thursday yielded no results.
“We just want her to come home safe,” expressed Duncan O’Regan, a friend of McCrystal. “We miss her here, so we’re just keeping our fingers crossed.”
He noted that she is a well-known figure within the local mountain running scene.
Aiming for a speed record
The 38-year-old lawyer was preparing to ascend and descend the Matterhorn in under five hours via the Lion Ridge, the primary route from the Italian side. She was focused on achieving the fastest known time.
“I know that this goal was well within her skill set,” O’Regan, who is also a mountain runner, stated. “She has accomplished much more challenging feats, and this is certainly within her abilities. She’s at ease in this type of terrain.”
O’Regan mentioned that the Matterhorn challenge is something McCrystal has been training for and practicing. The Matterhorn, one of the most iconic mountains in the Alps, towers at 4,478 meters, straddling the border between Italy and Switzerland.
Kalie McCrystal, a 38-year-old mountain runner from Squamish, B.C., captured in a photo shared on Instagram on August 7. She was last seen on Tuesday. (kalie_mcc/Instagram)
Regarded as an expert in skyrunning, a sport that merges trail running with mountaineering, McCrystal is well-respected in her field.
“It’s like combining long-distance running with scrambling,” described Jacob Cook, a professional climber from Squamish. “It involves rocky mountaineering terrain, which can quickly transition into actual climbing.”
Cook, although not personally acquainted with McCrystal, is aware of her impressive achievements within the local running community.
A distinguished athlete
In July, McCrystal achieved the fastest known female time for Squamish’s Tantalus Traverse, completing it in nine hours and 40 minutes, surpassing the previous record by three hours, according to the Fastest Known Time database.
“Completing the Tantalus Traverse in her time reflects an extraordinary level of athletic ability,” remarked Cook, who traversed the route a day after her.
McCrystal has tested her skills in competitions and mountainous regions internationally.
Recently, she finished fourth in the women’s category of the Trofeo Kima skyrunning event, which challenges participants with 52 kilometers of highly technical mountainous terrain in Italy.
On August 14, McCrystal successfully completed a solo ascent and descent from Zermatt via the Swiss Hörnli Ridge in six hours, 47 minutes, and 33 seconds, according to the Fastest Known Time database.
McCrystal is celebrated as an expert skyrunner, a sport that fuses trail running with mountaineering. (Randall Hackley/The Associated Press)
Global Affairs monitoring the situation
Capilano University, where she serves as a faculty member, has expressed its condolences.
“Our thoughts are with Kalie’s family, friends, and colleagues, along with everyone involved in the search efforts during this incredibly challenging time,” stated Jason Dewling, president and vice-chancellor of the university.
Global Affairs Canada has confirmed that they are aware of a missing Canadian citizen and are in communication with local authorities.
“Everyone here in Squamish is really missing Kalie and hoping for her swift return,” O’Regan remarked.
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