This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/08/world/europe/swiss-identify-remains-of-japanese-climbers-missing-for-45-years.html

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Swiss Identify Remains of Japanese Climbers Missing for 45 Years Swiss Identify Remains of Japanese Climbers Missing for 45 Years
(35 minutes later)
Two Japanese mountain climbers caught in a snowstorm and buried under nearly a half-century of Alpine ice have been identified, police in Switzerland announced on Tuesday.Two Japanese mountain climbers caught in a snowstorm and buried under nearly a half-century of Alpine ice have been identified, police in Switzerland announced on Tuesday.
The remains of Masayuki Kobayashi, 21, who disappeared in a blizzard in 1970 while climbing the north face of the Matterhorn, and his trekking partner, Michio Oikawa, 22, were identified with DNA tests after a mountaineer discovered their remains at the foot of the mountain last year. The remains of Masayuki Kobayashi, 21, who disappeared in a blizzard in 1970 while preparing to climb the north face of the Matterhorn, and his trekking partner, Michio Oikawa, 22, were identified with DNA tests after a mountaineer discovered their remains at the foot of the mountain last year.
According to the Swiss newspaper Le Nouvelliste, the men were members of the Club Alpin Francais, a mountain sports organization. They left camp in the early afternoon to climb the north side of the mountain, considered the most difficult ascent. The pair was last seen at an altitude of 4,200 meters before a snow storm hit. It took six days for a friend to report their disappearence.
“They were probably surprised by a snowstorm when they disappeared,” a Swiss police spokeswoman, Stephane Vouardoux, told Reuters on Friday. “The snowstorm lasted a few days which prevented the rescue teams from searching.”“They were probably surprised by a snowstorm when they disappeared,” a Swiss police spokeswoman, Stephane Vouardoux, told Reuters on Friday. “The snowstorm lasted a few days which prevented the rescue teams from searching.”
The mountain has claimed the lives of climbers since it was first conquered 150 years ago. Last month, authorities closed the mountain to honor the anniversary of the first ascent in which a group reached the summit on July 14, 1865. But on the way back down, four of them slipped and fell to their deaths. Since then, more than 600 people have died making the trek, including the two Japanese climbers. Almost 45 years later, genetic material from bones found by a climber in melting glacial ice last September was matched by Swiss forensic examiners to DNA provided by the Japanese climbers’ relatives.
Almost 45 years after their disappearance, genetic material from bones found by a climber in melting glacial ice last September was matched by Swiss forensic examiners to DNA provided by the Japanese climbers’ relatives.
Police attributed the discovery of the bones last year to shrinking glaciers, which, as they melt, reveal bodies and other artifacts that have long been buried.Police attributed the discovery of the bones last year to shrinking glaciers, which, as they melt, reveal bodies and other artifacts that have long been buried.