Melting Ice Reveals Body of American Climber Buried in Peruvian Avalanche for 22 Years

It was a miraculous and unexpected event when the frozen body of American climber Bill Stampfl was found on the Huascaran peak in the Andes mountains. Stampfl, who was buried by an avalanche 22 years ago, was discovered by a stranger making his own ascent up the mountain in June. This astonishing discovery has brought a mix of emotions for his family, who had long accepted that he would never return.

The Discovery

Joseph Stampfl, the climber's son, received the surprising news from a stranger who stumbled upon his father's frozen and mostly intact body. The family was deeply shocked yet grateful that this closure was finally made possible after over two decades of uncertainty.

"It's been a shock," said Jennifer Stampfl, the climber's daughter. "When you get that phone call that he's been found, your heart just sinks. You don't know how exactly to feel at first."

Recovery and Plans

Police in Peru confirmed the recovery of Stampfl's body from the mountain, where he was buried by the avalanche in 2002. The body was found at an altitude of 17,060 feet, and efforts were made to carefully bring the body down from the icy mountain with the help of a group of policemen and mountain guides.

The family plans to move the body to a funeral home in Peru's capital, Lima, for cremation and to repatriate his ashes back to the United States.

An Unprecedented Preservation

Stampfl's body and clothing were remarkably preserved by the ice and freezing temperatures. His driver's license, identifying him as a resident of Chino in California's San Bernardino County, was found inside a hip pouch. This preservation left a lasting impression on those involved in the recovery effort.

"I've never seen anything like that," remarked one of the police officers who participated in the recovery operation.

The Recovery Effort

The process to retrieve Stampfl's remains involved a team of 13 mountaineers, including police officers and mountain guides. The recovery operation spanned about 3,000 to 4,000 feet, bringing closure to a chapter that had remained open for over two decades.

Remembering the Climbers

Stampfl had been attempting to climb Huascaran with friends Matthew Richardson and Steve Erskine in 2002. While Stampfl's body has been recovered, Richardson's remains are still missing. A plaque in memory of the three friends was placed at the summit of Mount Baldy in Southern California, where they trained for their expeditions.

"He was a kind man. He was humble. He loved God, and he loved the mountains," reflected Janet Stampfl-Raymer, Stampfl's wife. "We're very grateful we can bring his body home to rest."

Climate Change Impact

Huascaran, the highest peak in Peru, has not been immune to the effects of climate change. The Cordillera Blanca, where the peak is located, has lost 27% of its ice sheet over the past five decades. These changes in the environment have contributed to the revelation of long-missing climbers' bodies as glaciers continue to melt and recede.

A Global Trend

The discoveries of long-missing climbers' remains are not limited to the Andes mountains. Similar findings have been reported in other mountain ranges worldwide, such as the Swiss Alps and the Himalayas. These discoveries serve as a stark reminder of the environmental impact of climate change on these iconic landscapes.