World-Class Skyrunner Vanishes on Matterhorn While Training for Speed Record
A world-class Canadian skyrunner has been missing for more than two weeks after disappearing on the Matterhorn. Kalie McCrystal, 38, was last seen on Sept. 1 while descending the mountain on the Italian side.
According to the Skyrunner World Series, McCrystal was last seen around 3:45 p.m. on her way back to Cervinia after reaching the summit. She disappeared while descending Lion Ridge.
McCrystal had been training for an attempt to climb and descend the Matterhorn in less than five hours. Italian news agency ANSA reported that she was preparing to try for a new speed record on the mountain.
Search teams spent days looking for her with helicopters and drones. On Sept. 11, the search was suspended again after crews searched the area between Pic Tyndall and the Carrel Hut without finding her.
Rescuers Focused on Her Last Known Location
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A group of Polish climbers reported seeing McCrystal below Pic Tyndall at more than 4,000 meters. Search teams also used phone data to narrow down the area where she may have been.
During the Sept. 11 search, crews used drones equipped with artificial intelligence software to look for objects such as jackets, ropes and helmets. No trace of McCrystal was found.
She Had Experience on the Matterhorn
McCrystal was not new to the mountain. The Skyrunner World Series says she had climbed the Matterhorn before and had years of experience in technical, high-altitude terrain.
She is one of Canada’s leading skyrunners and won the 2026 4 Refugios Non-Stop race in Argentina. She also finished third at the 2024 Madeira SkyRace.
Her Family Believes She Fell While Descending
On Sept. 15, McCrystal’s mother and sister released a statement through Athletics Canada. They said everything they now know suggests she fell while descending the Matterhorn.
Her family thanked the mountain rescue teams, RCMP, Canadian Embassy and friends who helped search for her.
