Remains of German climber who went missing in 1986 found on Swiss Alps as glaciers melt
Climbers hiking near Switzerland's famous Matterhorn mountain in the Alps came across human remains that authorities determined to be a German climber who went missing in 1986.
The discovery was made July 12 as the climbers hiked along the Theodul Glacier in the southern Switzerland mountain resort of Zermatt, police in the Valais canton said Thursday. A forensic analysis at Valais Hospital allowed officials to determine that the remains were that of a mountain climber from Germany who disappeared 37 years ago.
A search and rescue operation at the time failed to find any trace of the hiker, who police said was 38 when he went missing.
Police did not name him or include any other information about his identity. However, the agency released a photograph from the site of where the remains were discovered that show a lone hiking boot with red laces in the snow, along with some of the hiker's equipment.
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Receding snow line leading to discoveries
Melting glaciers and receding snow in the Alps as a result of climate change have led to the discovery of remains of long-lost hikers, some of whom the Swiss police agency said disappeared decades ago.
Scientific researchers have found that since 1984, vegetation above the treeline of the European Alps has increased by 77% at the same time that snow cover has declined by 10%.
Three-month seasonal summaries released in September last year reported temperature and melt records in Greenland, Svalbard and the Swiss Alps, which scientists say seem to be further evidence of the changing climate.
Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @EricLagatta.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Remains of German climber missing since 1986 uncovered in Switzerland
