After 22 long years, the body of mountaineer William Stampfl has finally been found on Peru’s Mount Huascarán. Stampfl went missing back in 2002 during a climbing expedition when he was caught in an avalanche. His disappearance remained a mystery for over two decades.
In June 2024, Peruvian authorities announced that his body had been discovered, astonishingly well-preserved beneath the ice. Thanks to the recent glacier melt in the Andes, which is exposing long-hidden areas, his remains were finally revealed. The discovery has brought a mix of shock, reflection, and closure to those who knew him. It’s a sobering reminder of both the beauty and danger of high-altitude climbing.
Photo released by: Peru’s National Polize