Athletics Canada says missing mountaineer was climbing near Switzerland-Italy border

SQUAMISH — Athletics Canada says one of its members went missing while attempting to break a mountain-running record in the Alps along the Switzerland-Italy border.

The national sport governing body says in a statement Kalie McCrystal was last seen on Tuesday.

It says the skyrunner and mountaineer was climbing Italy’s Matterhorn, a roughly 4,481-metre-tall mountain that’s horn-shaped peak also overlooks Zermatt, a town in Switzerland.

The statement says McCrystal has many years of experience in technical and high-altitude environments, and has climbed the Matterhorn before.

“This was therefore not her first ascent of the mountain,” it said.

The statement did not give details on the record she was trying to break.

“Kalie is a highly respected athlete and a valued member of the worldwide skyrunning community,” it said.

“Our thoughts are with Kalie, her family and everyone close to her at this extremely difficult time. We are hoping for her safe return and are grateful to those involved in the ongoing search.”

Athletics Canada’s website lists the hometown of an athlete with McCrystal’s name as Squamish, B.C.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 5, 2026.