William Stampfl Found: Mummified Body of American Climber Buried by an Avalanche 22 Years Ago in Peru Recovered (See Pics)
The 58-year-old Stampfl had been trying to climb the 6,768-m Mount Huascaran. Police said Stampfl's body and clothing were preserved by the ice and freezing temperatures.
Lima (Peru), July 10: Police in Peru said Tuesday they have found the body of an American mountaineer who was buried by an avalanche 22 years ago as he tried to climb one of the highest peaks in the Andes. Police in the Ancash region told The Associated Press they found the body of William Stampfl on Friday near a camp 5,200 m (17,060 feet) above sea level.
The 58-year-old Stampfl had been trying to climb the 6,768-m Mount Huascaran. Police said Stampfl's body and clothing were preserved by the ice and freezing temperatures. They said the body was easy to identify also because the climber had been carrying his driving licence. Peru: Huge Rock Falls From Mountain, Crushes Two Moving Trucks in San Mateo, Terrifying Video Surfaces.
Body of American Climber Found After 22 Years
Hundreds of climbers visit the mountain each year with local guides, and it takes them about a week to reach the summit. Stampfl was with friends Matthew Richardson and Steve Erskine when they attempted the ascent in 2002. Erskine's body was found shortly after the avalanche, but Richardson's is still missing. Earthquake of Magnitude 6.0 Strikes Near Coast of Peru.
Stampfl's body was brought down the mountain over the weekend by guides and police officers and put in a morgue in the city of Huaraz.
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