News...

[JayB]

Keep your fingers crossed for these guys....

 

"LIMA, Peru (Reuters) - Three U.S. mountain climbers were missing after an avalanche on Peru's highest peak Huascaran, police said Tuesday.

 

The three U.S. citizens were caught in an avalanche that took place Monday on the 22,205-foot Huascaran, police in the Andean city of

Yungay said in a statement. A group of Czech climbers told police they saw an ice formation fall on the three mountain climbers, who were all making their way down from the summit tied to the same rope, at around 19,500 feet, the

statement added.

 

According to police, a mountain rescue unit had begun to make its way on foot toward the area of the accident, but searchers so far have

been unable to locate the missing climbers. Further search efforts are planned.

 

The Huascaran is the crowning glory of Peru's Cordillera Blanca, which is the highest tropical mountain range in the world in one of Peru's

most-popular tourist regions."

[Rodchester]

That really sucks. The peak is very well known for avalanches and has active glaciers high on the peak.

 

Though as a side note, I find it intersting that they call Ynuguy a "city"...village might be a more applicable term.

[Sharon]

A friend in LA forwarded this email to us late last night:

 

"It appears that Matt Richardson, Steve Erskine and Bill Stampfl were killed yesterday in an avalanche while climbing "Huascaran" -- a 22,000 foot peak in Peru. The American Embassy called Matt's wife this morning. At this time there are very few details except that they are almost certainly dead."

 

Our friend then added his own comments:

 

"I learned ice ax technique at the same time Matt did. In January 2000 he summited Aconcagua & married later. A very nice person. Steve & Bill were well known in the Southern California climbing community."

 

Sharon

[allthumbs]

As always, I'm sorry to hear news like this. Condolences to the families.

[Dennis_Harmon]

Convey my condolences as well, Dennis