A severe winter storm has halted rescue operations on the Gran Sasso massif, where two alpinists, Cristian Gualdi and Luca Perazzini, have been missing since December 22, 2024. The duo, ages 48 and 42, is feared to be disoriented after slipping on the treacherous slopes of the Corno Grande, where they were attempting to navigate down the Direttissima route.
According to reports from ANSA, the search and rescue efforts are complicated by extreme weather conditions. Wind gusts have been recorded up to 135.2 km/h, with temperatures plummeting to -9.5°C at Campo Imperatore, where numerous rescuers and staff members are currently trapped at Hostel "Lo Zio". Twenty-four people, including 11 members of the Alpine Rescue Service (Cnsas) and eight workers from the hostel, have found themselves stranded as weather conditions deteriorate.
Initial rescue operations were launched immediately after the two men lost contact with their support teams on December 22. Gualdi and Perazzini, both from Santarcangelo di Romagna, were reported to have attempted to reach higher altitudes before calamity struck. Despite the urgency of the situation, the conditions have rendered flight operations impossible, as rescuers have discovered substantial snow accumulation complicates ground movements as well.
With safety as the foremost priority, rescue officials announced plans to resume searching only once weather conditions are deemed satisfactory, possibly as late as Thursday, December 26. A spokesperson for the rescue operation, speaking to Rai News, emphasized, "Only Thursday are acceptable weather conditions expected to resume searches." This raises concerns about the alpinists' chances of survival as each hour passes.
The mayor of Santarcangelo, Filippo Sacchetti, expressed heightened concerns for the families of the missing men. "Luca and Cristian lived close to each other and shared their passion for mountaineering. It’s been incredibly hard for our community to bear this uncertainty," he shared with ANSA.
The situation has brewed tension within the community and among the rescuers, who, after approximately 48 hours of operations, remain on high alert, prepared to mobilize as soon as conditions improve. The harsh weather has forced rescuers, who have been continuously working since Sunday, December 22, to conserve energy as they confront the growing challenges presented by the storm.
Rescue officials detail how heavy winds and snow have rendered their helicopters useless. Ground teams have attempted to mobilize through various bases at both Campo Imperatore and Fonte Cerreto, but progress has been stymied. Other routes initially considered for accessing the alpinists have been found unsafe, leading to discouraging developments.
Over the weekend, conditions greatly worsened, with blizzard conditions prevailing. Nearly every rescue attempt made at any altitude has been impeded, pushing rescue teams to create contingency plans aimed at ensuring the safety of both rescuers and potential survivors.
At quirks of fate, reports have even indicated the presence of the families of Gualdi and Perazzini at the rescue base, seeking answers and expressing deep exhaustion from the prolonged wait.
With the clock ticking and temperatures set to fall overnight, experts have begun to express significant concern over the possibility of hypothermia afflicting the two men. According to rescue team sources, "An increasing number of factors have hindered our recovery attempts, leading us to prioritize our own safety as rescues become increasingly complex at altitude."
Even as Christmas looms brightly on the horizon, the stark reality remains, urging both rescuers and families to confront the bitter cold, uncertainty, and hope intertwined like the alpine woods themselves.
For now, local authorities and the Rush teams maintain steadfast hope as they navigate this bleak and challenging chapter of winter adventuring. Community sentiments run deep as locals continue to rally support for the rescuers and their return home.
The fate of Cristian Gualdi and Luca Perazzini remains uncertain, and updates will continue to emerge as weather conditions evolve, compelled by the work of dedicated teams determined to bring solace to this deeply felt situation.
