Friend holds out hope for Canadian runner missing on Matterhorn

Friend holds out hope for Canadian runner missing on Matterhorn

Helicopter crews suspended search for Kalie McCrystal, a Squamish, B.C., resident

A friend of a Canadian athlete who went missing on the Matterhorn says Squamish, B.C.'s mountain running community is hoping for her safe return.

Kalie McCrystal, an elite mountain athlete from Squamish, was last seen on Sept. 1 above the mountain's Jean-Antoine Carrel hut, located at an altitude of roughly 3,830 metres.

Search and rescue crews were mobilized to find her, but recently declared they would suspend the helicopter operations after a full day of aerial searches on Thursday turned up no trace.

"We just want her to come home safe," said Duncan O'Regan, a friend of McCrystal. "And we miss her here. So we're just crossing our fingers."

Helicopter search suspended for Squamish, B.C., mountain runner missing on Matterhorn

He described her as a fixture in the local mountain running community.

McCrystal, a 38-year-old lawyer, was training to climb and descend the Matterhorn in less than five hours via the Lion Ridge, the main route from the Italian side. She had her eye on attaining the fastest known time.

"I know that this objective was well within her capabilities," said O'Regan, who is a mountain runner. "She's done much more difficult things, and this is not something that is beyond her capabilities. She's comfortable in this terrain."

O'Regan said the Matterhorn objective is something she's been training and rehearsing. One of the most recognizable peaks of the Alps, the Matterhorn straddles Italy and Switzerland, standing 4,478 metres tall.

McCrystal is known as an expert skyrunner — a discipline which combines trail running and mountaineering.

"It's sort of like blending running a very long distance with scrambling," said Jacob Cook, a professional climber based in Squamish. "Sort of like rocky mountaineering terrain. And it quite quickly, often blends into, like, real climbing."

Cook said he doesn't know McCrystal personally but is aware and impressed with her accomplishments on the local circuit.

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In July, McCrystal bagged the fastest known female time of Squamish's Tantalus Traverse at nine hours and 40 minutes, crushing the previous record by three hours, according to the Fastest Known Time database.

"To do the Tantalus Traverse in the time that she did represents a really incredible level of athleticism," said Cook, who'd done the route a day after her.

McCrystal tested herself in competitions and mountains abroad.

Recently, she placed fourth in the women's division of the Trofeo Kima skyrunning race, which forces athletes through 52 kilometres of extremely technical mountainous terrain in Italy.

On Aug. 14, McCrystal 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.

Global Affairs aware of situation

Capilano University, where she is a faculty member, expressed its sympathy.

“Our thoughts are with Kalie’s family, friends and colleagues, and with everyone involved in the search efforts during this incredibly difficult time," said Jason Dewling, president and vice-chancellor of the university.

Global Affairs Canada says it's aware of a missing Canadian and is in contact with local authorities.

"Everyone here in Squamish is just really missing Kalie and hoping that she comes back soon," said O'Regan.

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