American climbers found Bill Stampfl’s body 22 years after he disappeared after an avalanche in the Peruvian Andes. According to Bill’s son, Joseph Stampfl, brothers Ryan Cooper and Wesley Waren recovered his bones on Mount Huascaran on June 27.
Cooper and Waren saw an item against the mountain while descending after a failed summit attempt. Stampfl’s body was found frozen at 16,500 feet. The backpack tied to his body contained his identity, camera, passport, wallet, and glasses, as well as his wedding band, helmet, climbing boots, and jacket.
On June 24, 2002, an avalanche killed Stampfl, Steve Erskine, and Matthew Richardson. Before, just Erskine’s body was found. Stampfl died at 58.
The discovery prompted rapid notification of Stampfl’s relatives. After lengthy web investigation, Cooper’s wife informed Joseph Stampfl.
July 5 saw the Peruvian Mountain Rescue Association and Peruvian National Police recover Stampfl. The body was cremated in Lima after an autopsy in Yungay and Juarez. His family in the US will receive his ashes.
The incident caused family conflict. Jennifer Stampfl, Bill’s daughter, said the finding revived scars but also brought closure. Janet, Bill’s widow, remembered his passion of mountain climbing and spiritual connection to the peaks.
Cooper was relieved to bring closure to the Stampfl family, but he worried climatic change may have revealed the remains. The Andes’ melting glaciers have made the terrain more dangerous.
Mountaineers and mountain landscapes are threatened by global warming as Andean glaciers melt.
Published:
Related articles
Recent articles
