American Invest Hub
  • Politics
  • Investing
  • Business
  • Latest News

American Invest Hub

  • Politics
  • Investing
  • Business
  • Latest News
Latest News

American mountaineer’s body found by fellow US climbers 22 years after going missing in Peru

by admin July 11, 2024
July 11, 2024
American mountaineer’s body found by fellow US climbers 22 years after going missing in Peru

The body of an American mountaineer has been discovered by a pair of fellow US climbers 22 years after he went missing following an avalanche in the Peruvian Andes.

American brothers Ryan Cooper and Wesley Waren found the body of Bill Stampfl on June 27 on Mount Huascaran, according to Joseph Stampfl, Bill’s son.

The climbers had been descending the mountain in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca after an unsuccessful attempt to reach its 22,000 ft summit when they found the body, at about 16,500 ft.

He said the ice had preserved the body and its belongings and Stampfl’s wedding ring, helmet, mountain climbing boots, and jacket were all intact.

The brothers managed to identify Stampfl by finding a bag attached to his body, inside which they found his identification card, a camera, passport, wallet, and glasses – all of which were also intact, Cooper explained.

“Someone loved him and someone wanted him to come home,” Cooper said. “As soon as I found out he was an American climber I knew we had a responsibility to track down the family and give them the news,” Cooper said.

His body was retrieved and brought down the mountain on July 5 by the Peruvian Mountain Rescue Association and Peruvian National Police after coordination with Cooper and Stampfl’s family.

His body was taken to a morgue in the town of Yungay for an autopsy, Peru’s National Police posted on X on Tuesday.

Finding Bill’s family

Cooper, a native of Las Vegas, Nevada, called his wife and informed her of his discovery the same day he came across Stampfl’s body. He asked her for help in finding Stampfl’s family, as he was still on Mount Huascaran with limited cellular service.

After much online research, Cooper’s wife was able to locate Joseph and called him on June 29.

“I told him I know the location of his dad. I told him about the ring and personal items,” Cooper said.

His motive was to help the family find closure, Cooper explained.

With “no body, there’s no way to find peace with that,” Cooper said.

Cooper also spoke to Jennifer and Stampfl’s wife Janet on the phone before sending photos of Stampfl’s ID and other belongings to the family.

‘My heart just sank’

After so many years, the news came as an emotional shock to Stampfl’s family.

“There is no preparation for having your husband killed instantaneously,” Janet said, adding that she never thought her husband’s body would be discovered. “It’s an answer to so many prayers by so many people.”

Janet said her husband loved climbing mountains. “He enjoyed it so much. He said he always felt closest to God when he got to the top of the mountain,” Janet said.

“After 22 years…I was a little shocked, it took me a while to process everything,” Joseph said, adding “now it’s time to bring him home hopefully.”

Following an autopsy in Yungay, Stampfl’s body was transferred to the city of Juarez, Joseph explained. Stampfl will be taken to a funeral home in Lima where he will be cremated, and the ashes will be sent to the family in the United States.

‘A dangerous landscape’

While Cooper is grateful to have finally been able to bring closure to the Stampfl family, the discovery was also tinged with sadness.

He had hoped that Richardson’s body might have been attached to Stampfl by a rope, but that was not the case and “he’s still missing as of today.”

He also fears that global warming may have played a role in his discovery, by thawing the ice on what is considered the world’s highest tropical mountain range.

“He was fully exposed and not in ice anymore. The thawing process happened,” Cooper said.

Since the 1950s, almost all of the world’s glaciers have been retreating, according to a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. On average, the glaciers in the Andean region – Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru – have lost over 50 per cent of their coverage since the 1960s.

“The Andes is deteriorating more than any other mountain range in the region,” Cooper said, adding that the changing conditions were part of what had prevented him from summiting Mount Huascaran.

“Glaciers are melting away, the landscape has changed. It poses a dangerous landscape now,” he said.

This post appeared first on cnn.com

0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
previous post
Rwanda hints it won’t reimburse $300 million UK paid for deportation deal after new British PM says he’ll ditch agreement
next post
No music, no Western-style haircuts: UN report details life in Afghanistan under Taliban’s moral enforcers

Related Posts

21 people die as school building collapses in Nigeria when students...

July 14, 2024

Expedia’s cost controls offer hope, but analysts see...

May 10, 2025

Berlin seeks Patriot Missiles for Ukraine amid US...

July 6, 2025

Russian border region closes malls and schools as...

March 17, 2024

US new home sales bounce back in November,...

December 25, 2024

Fierce fighting in Vovchansk as Ukrainian troops try...

June 17, 2024

Forbes journalist placed under house arrest for allegedly...

April 29, 2024

CNN Heroes Legal Disclosures 2024

July 27, 2024

Concerns over missing protesters as Kenya erupts in tax hike...

June 26, 2024

Oil surges as reports suggest Iran may attack...

November 1, 2024

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Latest News

    • Zinc prices rally on US rate cut hopes, despite supply oversupply

      August 27, 2025
    • Mitsubishi exits Japanese offshore wind projects citing soaring costs

      August 27, 2025
    • FBI raid on John Bolton’s home in Washington linked to classified documents

      August 25, 2025
    • Argentine senate deals blow to Milei’s austerity agenda with university budget boost

      August 25, 2025
    • Jackson Hole Symposium: what Powell said about economic effects of Trump’s tariffs

      August 25, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (3,773)
    • Investing (2,787)
    • Latest News (2,050)
    • Politics (1,530)
    • About us
    • Contact us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: americaninvesthub.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2025 americaninvesthub.com | All Rights Reserved