In a staggering twist of fate, a hiker who vanished into the frosty depths of Peru’s towering peaks over two decades ago has been found. Bill Stampfl, 58, perished in an avalanche while hiking with friends in 2002, and for years, his family had little hope of recovering his remains from the daunting 22,000-foot Huascaran peak.
@dailymail Stampfl disappeared after an avalanche in 2002, along with two other climbers, Matthew Richardson and Steve Erskine. While Erskine’s body was recovered two decades ago, no sign of Richardson was ever found. #peru #missing #found #avalanche #climbing #hiking
However, the universe had other plans. Years after the tragic event, Joseph Stampfl, Bill’s son, received an unexpected phone call. Another adventurer, braving the same lofty heights, stumbled upon Bill’s impressively preserved body.
The climber not only discovered Bill but found him in an astonishing state of preservation.
Recounting the surreal moment, Joseph told CBS, “It was so out of left field. We talk about my dad, we think about him all the time. You just never think you are going to get that call.”
Joseph’s sister, Jennifer, also shared her emotions about the unexpected recovery. “It’s been a shock. When you get that phone call that he’s been found your heart just sinks. You don’t know how exactly to feel at first,” she explained. She continued, “For 22 years, we just kind of put in our mind: ‘This is the way it is. Dad’s part of the mountain, and he’s never coming home.'”
The climber who found Bill was hiking about 4,000ft below the spot where the avalanche claimed him and his friends. Remarkably, Bill’s body was still clad in his boots after all these years.
Among Bill’s belongings, the climber found a pouch with his driving license, which helped confirm his identity. The pouch also held a camera, sunglasses, a voice recorder, and two decomposing $20 bills. Notably, Bill’s wedding ring was still on his left hand.
“He was no longer encased in ice. He still has got his boots on,” Joseph noted, indicating the surprising condition of his father’s remains.
A team of 13 mountain guides was assembled to safely retrieve Bill’s body from the mountain, ensuring that after years of being encapsulated in ice and memories, he could finally be brought home.
Reflecting on her husband’s life, Bill’s wife, Janet Stampfl-Raymer, expressed her deep affection and respect. “He was a kind man. He was humble. He loved God, and he loved the mountains. We all just dearly loved my husband. He was one of a kind. We’re very grateful we can bring his body home to rest,” she said.