Kalie McCrystal, 38, has been missing on the Matterhorn since Sept. 1 after being last seen descending toward Cervinia around 3:45 p.m. Extensive searches using helicopters, ground teams, drones with AI and phone-data analysis focused on the area between Pic Tyndall and the Carrel Hut but found no trace. On Sept. 15 her family, via Athletics Canada, said available evidence suggests she likely fell while descending and thanked rescue teams and authorities for their efforts.
World-Class Canadian Skyrunner Kalie McCrystal Missing on the Matterhorn During Speed-Record Training
Image Credit: Andrews Art on Unsplash.
Kalie McCrystal, a 38-year-old world-class Canadian skyrunner, has been missing on the Matterhorn since Sept. 1 after last being seen descending on the Italian side of the mountain.
Last Known Whereabouts
According to the Skyrunner World Series, McCrystal was observed at about 3:45 p.m. descending toward Cervinia after reaching the summit and disappeared while negotiating the Lion Ridge descent. A group of Polish climbers later reported seeing her below Pic Tyndall at an elevation above 4,000 meters, and investigators used phone-data analysis to narrow the search area.
Search Efforts
Rescue teams spent several days searching the mountain using helicopters, ground crews and drones. On Sept. 11, the operation was suspended after teams scoured the sector between Pic Tyndall and the Carrel Hut without finding signs of McCrystal. Drones equipped with artificial intelligence software were used to scan for gear such as jackets, ropes and helmets, but the technology turned up no trace.
Background And Training
McCrystal was an experienced high-altitude and technical terrain athlete who had climbed the Matterhorn before. She was preparing for an ambitious attempt to climb and descend the Matterhorn in under five hours, training for a potential new speed record on the peak. She is among Canada’s leading skyrunners, having won the 2026 4 Refugios Non-Stop race in Argentina and finishing third at the 2024 Madeira SkyRace.
Family Statement
On Sept. 15, McCrystal’s mother and sister released a statement through Athletics Canada saying that everything they now know suggests she likely fell while descending the Matterhorn. They expressed profound gratitude to mountain rescue teams, the RCMP, the Canadian Embassy and friends who assisted in the search.
The investigation and any future search decisions remain the responsibility of local authorities and rescue organizations. McCrystal’s disappearance has drawn international attention from the skyrunning community and mountain-safety advocates, highlighting both the risks of high-altitude speed attempts and the limits of search efforts in extreme alpine environments.
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