A skyrunner has gone missing on a mountain during a training session for a record attempt.
Kalie McCrystal has vanished in the Italian Alps sparking a huge search and rescue mission.
The 38-year-old experienced mountaineer was out on training to break the skyrunning record for ascending and descending the Matterhorn.
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The mountain is over 14,600ft high and straddles the Italian-Swiss border in the Western Alps.
Kalie was last seen on 1 Sep and has not been heard from since, as reported by Need To Know.
The Athletics Canada National Team Trail Runner from Squamish, British Columbia, was last spotted at a mountain shelter on the Italian side of the Matterhorn.
Her family are now working directly with mountain rescue services to locate her.
Data from her phone’s SIM card is now being used to track her last movements after a helicopter search was temporarily suspended.
The Aosta Valley Mountain Rescue team took to the sky several times before being grounded on 10 Sep.
The helicopter failed to locate Kalie or any evidence which may lead to finding her.
Regular mountain guides are also on the lookout for the missing skyrunner.
A spokesperson for Athletics Canada said: “Athletics Canada is asking for the media’s support in promoting the ongoing search for National Team Trail Runner, Kalie McCrystal who has gone missing during a reconnaissance/training session ahead of an attempt at a new mountain-running record climbing the Matterhorn in Italy.
“She was last seen September 1st.
“Kalie is an experienced skyrunner and mountaineer, with many years of experience in technical and high-altitude mountain environments.
“She has extensive knowledge and experience of alpine terrain and had previously climbed the Matterhorn.
“This was therefore not her first ascent of the mountain.
“Her family is working directly with mountain rescue services, and search operations are ongoing.
“Kalie is a highly respected athlete and a valued member of the worldwide skyrunning community.
“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.”
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