Woman's Body Found in Glacier Returns Home After 42 Years

Death in 1981 Mountain Climbing Accident
Bereaved Family: "Now He Can Rest in Peace"

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seung-woo] The body of a female mountaineer who died in an accident during a climb was found in a glacier after 42 years, allowing her to return to her family.

On the 4th (local time), multiple local media including the Argentine daily La Nacion reported, "The body found in a glacier in San Juan Province, Argentina, at the end of January is presumed to be that of a woman who died in an accident 42 years ago."

The woman named Marta Emilia ‘Pati’ Altamirano, at the age of 20 in March 1981, set out to climb Cerro Mercedario with her sister Corina and another Italian male mountaineer. Cerro Mercedario, with an elevation of 6,720 meters, is the 8th highest mountain in the Americas and the 2nd highest in Argentina.

However, an accident occurred when they reached about two-thirds up the glacier wall. Marta, who was climbing the glacier from the opposite side with Corina, fell down. Since darkness had already fallen around, Corina and the Italian man were only able to find her body the next morning. However, due to the glacier's crevasses, it was impossible to move the body.

Marta's body was buried in Cerro Mercedario [Photo source=San Juan Provincial Government online site]

Corina and her group descended and reported to the authorities, then returned with experts to search for Marta’s body, but this time the area was covered with snow, so the body was not visible. Corina also joined mountaineers in a search the following year but failed to find her sister’s body.

Then, Marta’s body was trapped in the glacier for 42 years until it was discovered by other mountaineers. Although the DNA test results have not yet been released, the family believed the body to be Marta’s. This is because there had been no reports of a missing female mountaineer near Cerro Mercedario for over 40 years.

Later, the family confirmed that the body was Marta’s through personal belongings and clothing. In an interview with a local broadcaster, Corina said, “I am grateful to everyone. Now my sister can finally rest in peace. The wounds of those left behind will finally heal.”

The family plans to cremate Marta’s body and scatter her ashes on Cerro Mercedario after the procedures are completed, returning her remains to her hometown in Tucum?n Province. It is known that Marta wished to be buried in the mountains if she died there. Corina said, “Cerro Mercedario is already like Marta’s home.”