Mummified remains of American climber missing for 22 years found in Peru

The remains an American mountaineer who vanished 22 years ago while climbing a snow-covered peak in Peru, has been discovered after being exposed by ice melt caused by climate change, AFP reported quoting the local police on Monday. William Stampfl, aged 59 at the time, was reported missing in June 2002 when an avalanche engulfed his climbing group on Mount Huascaran, which stands at a height of more than 6,700 meters (22,000 feet).Despite search and rescue efforts, no trace of him was found.
Peruvian authorities stated that Stampfl's remains were finally uncovered by the melting ice on the Cordillera Blanca range of the Andes. Images released by the police showed that Stampfl's body, along with his clothing, harness, and boots, had been remarkably preserved by the cold conditions.
Among Stampfl's belongings, his passport was discovered, enabling the police to identify the body. The mountains of northeastern Peru, which include snow-capped peaks such as Huascaran and Cashan, are popular destinations for mountaineers from around the globe.
In May, the body of an Israeli hiker was found in the same region nearly a month after he went missing. Additionally, last month, a seasoned Italian mountaineer was discovered dead after falling while attempting to climb another Andean peak.