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Preserved body of US man found in Peru 22 years after vanishing

A member of the search team involved is seen climbing the snowy mountain of Huascarán (Image: Peruvian National Police)
A member of the search team involved is seen climbing the snowy mountain of Huascarán (Image: Peruvian National Police)

The preserved body of an American mountaineer - who disappeared 22 years ago while scaling a snowy peak in Peru - has been found after being exposed by ice melt, police have said.

William Stampfl was reported missing in June 2002, aged 59, when an avalanche buried his climbing party on the mountain Huascaran, which stands more than 6,700 metres high. Search and rescue efforts were fruitless.

Peruvian police said his remains were finally exposed by ice melt on the Cordillera Blanca range of the Andes.

Mr Stampfl's body, as well as his clothes, harness and boots had been well-preserved by the cold, according to images distributed by police.

His passport was found among his possessions, allowing police to identify the body.

The mountains of northeastern Peru, home to snowy peaks such as Huascaran and Cashan, are a favourite with mountaineers from around the world.

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

Last month, an experienced Italian mountaineer was found dead after he fell while trying to scale another Andean peak.