Mount Peru Ice Melts, The Body Of An American Climber Who Disappeared 22 Years Ago Was Found

Mount Huascaran in the mountainous region of Cordillera Total, Andes, Peru/UNSPLASH/Jean Sim

JAKARTA - The body of a mountain climber from the United States (US) who disappeared 22 years ago while climbing a snowy peak in Peru was found after melting ice due to climate change.

William Stampfl was reported missing in June 2002, at the age of 59, when an avalanche buried his climbing group on Mount Huascaran, which was more than 22,000 feet high.

Stampfl climbs with his friends Matthew Richardson and Steve Erskine. Erskine's body was found shortly after the snowfall, but Richardson's body is still missing.

Peru police said his body was finally 'disclosed' because of the melting of ice in the Cordillera Mountains in Andes.

Reported by CBS News, Wednesday, July 9, Stampfl's body, as well as his clothes, reins, and boots are durable in cold weather, according to pictures owned by the police.

His passport was found among his belongings, so the police can identify his body.

Stampfl's driving license was also found with his body. Stampfl is listed as San Bernardino County, California.

Stampfl's body was taken down the mountain on weekends by police guides and officers and put in a morgue in the city of Huaraz.

The mountains in northeastern Peru, which are home to snowy peaks such as Huascaran and Cashan, are favorites of mountaineers from around the world.

In May, the body of an Israeli climber was found there nearly a month after he disappeared.

And last month, an experienced mountain climber from Italy was found dead after he fell while trying to climb another Andean peak.