In the following report of RTV NH, Herman Peter (a friend of Christiaan) is interviewed, and it is explained what we know about the disappearance of and search for Christiaan so far. (Dutch spoken)
Today we’ve received confirmation of the following: Paul found a piece of an orange helmet between Basecamp and Italian Camp, near a riverbed (Petzl Sirocco helmet). This is a fairly new type of helmet that we’re quite certain Christiaan had with him. It’s a tangible clue that could help our search. Paul is on his way down. Tomorrow we’ll focus on how we’re going to continue the search, and a few people will keep studying the satellite images.
Please find more information in the press release.
Press release: Piece found of missing climber Wilson’s helmet
In the search for Dutch climber Christiaan Wilson, who has been missing since May 16th, a piece of a helmet has been found that is most likely his. It was found near Swiss Camp on the route that Wilson planned to take. The piece is clearly part of a Petzl Sirocco helmet. A traveling companion who was with Wilson earlier on in his trip, has confirmed that he did indeed have one of these helmets.
Not weathered
The piece of the helmet was found in a hard to access spot, at a narrowing of a stream. According to Paul van der Laan, who is searching for the climber together with a group of friends and a group of climbing experts, the material shows no weathering by sun or water. This could indicate that the material had only been there briefly and confirms the assumption that the piece is part of Wilson’s helmet. Paul had to descend with a length of climbing rope to get to the piece.
Time is short, monsoon starting soon
Based on the discovery of the piece of helmet and the location where it was found, the team searching for the Dutchman is drawing up new scenarios. The team will continue its search, with the aid of search and rescue dogs and the support of various climbing experts. However, time is running out since the monsoon is coming, which will greatly hinder their search efforts. Yesterday, one of the friends on the search team reported a landslide in the area. In the coming period, ongoing rain will only increase the likelihood of landslides.
Disappearance
On April 17th, Christiaan departed for a trip of 35 to 40 days to the summit of the 8167 meter high Dhaulagiri in the Himalayas. This mountain is located about 500 kilometers from Mount Everest. He was with Jordan, a climbing friend from the United States. On May 4th, Jordan suspended his ascent and went back down to civilization on his own.
Christiaan last used his satellite phone on May 15th, and didn’t respond to text messages that were sent later. Various eye-witnesses saw him depart in the direction of Italian camp on May 16th. Since then, there’s been no trace of him.
NOTE FOR EDITORS
For more information, please contact the ‘Stichting Red Christiaan Wilson’ via [email protected] or +31 (0)20-760 19 81.
Foto van Christiaan Wilson met de specifieke helm. (Geen grotere resolutie beschikbaar)
Photo of Christiaan Wilson with the helmet in question. (Higher resolution not available.)
Petzl Sirocco helm
Overview Map Swiss camp related to Italian camp (right above in the corner is Dhaulagiri basecamp)
Pieter (Christiaan’s brother) shares the below prayer and asks everyone to pray for Christiaan with him, family and friends at Church on Sunday.
“Creator of heaven and earth. Creator of the mountains. The world is on fire. Thousands of people live in poverty, lack education, die from easily treatable diseases or are being raped, wounded or killed in wars.
In this world we are looking for 1 brother, son, acquaintance or friend with a hobby. To us, this is important now. We are sorry if, for the moment, we are forgetting about the rest of the world. Your word also applies to 1 lost sheep.
Thank you for going much further in your search for us than we are able to go in our search for Christiaan. You sent your Son. Thank you, Lord Jesus. You wandered the hills, walked on water, silenced storms and fed hundreds of people. You changed the course of history. You died for us. You stood up for us. You showed us that disease, pain, loneliness and death do not have the last word, but that there is a new future. We do not know if we will be able to go climb a mountain with Christiaan anytime soon. We do believe that when Your heaven has descended unto earth, we may stand on peaks. When the lion is able to lie down with the lamb, I expect we will be able to climb the Dhaulagiri without any danger.”
Satellite images
The analysis of the satellite images is a time consuming job and is taking some more time still.
Handing out flyers and talking to many people
Felix, John, Ben and Ruben are very busy handing out flyers in various areas where people might live who could have seen Christiaan. They are talking to many people, hoping to gain information about the last sighting of Christiaan. Several people confirm he was headed for the Italian camp.
Canine team
The first period of the hiring of the search dog team is almost over. Further deployment of the team is being considered.