Search party discovers remains of lost American mountaineer in the Pyrenees mountains.
In the heart of the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, the body of Cole Henderson, an American hiker, was discovered on the north face of Monte Perdido, the third-highest peak in the Pyrenees. Henderson had gone missing last month, and his last communication was on July 9.
Henderson had informed friends on July 9 that he was embarking on a hike into the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park. Climbing Monte Perdido, a peak standing at 3,355 meters (11,007 feet) high, is generally considered a medium-high to high difficulty climb, depending on the route and conditions.
The typical route from the town of Torla, where Henderson's car was located, was still covered in snow in early July. This climb requires a good level of physical fitness and mountain experience. Essential gear includes sturdy trekking boots, layered clothing suitable for mountain weather changes, a map and GPS, and for glacier or snow patches, crampons and an ice axe (piolet) are necessary for safety.
While PD routes, like the one Henderson was believed to have taken, are often climbed without ropes, they may still present challenges due to their difficulty level. The route to Monte Perdido is rated as "Peu Difficile" (PD), meaning "somewhat difficult" by the climbing community. It involves some exposed and technical path sections, particularly near the summit area.
Specialist mountain rescue teams and helicopters from the Air Service were deployed to assist in the search for Henderson. Authorities had been working on the theory that he may have tried to climb Monte Perdido. Unfortunately, Henderson's body was found on Friday afternoon by Spanish search and rescue teams.
CNN's Sam Peters and Jack Guy contributed reporting to this story.
[1] Monte Perdido: A Hiker's Guide [4] Climbing Monte Perdido: A Comprehensive Guide
- Cole Henderson, the American hiker whose body was discovered on the north face of Monte Perdido, had planned to hike into the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, a protected area in Europe known for outdoor-living and adventure travel.
- Henderson's last communication on July 9 indicated his intention to climb Monte Perdido, highest peaks in the Pyrenees with a track rated as Peu Difficile, which translates to "somewhat difficult".
- Despite being a popular destination for hikers and mountaineers who enjoy home-and-garden aesthetics and a lifestyle that merges with the wilderness, Monte Perdido's climb requires a good level of physical fitness and mountain experience, along with sturdy boots, adequate clothing, a map, GPS, and necessary gear like crampons and an ice axe for snowy pathways.
- Although not typically requiring ropes, the PD route to Monte Perdido features exposed, technical sections near the summit area – an adventure that some would consider an attraction for travel enthusiasts seeking unique outdoor-living experiences.
