Swiss climber still missing in Jambi

Swiss climber still missing in Jambi

JAMBI, Jambi: A Swiss mountain climber last seen Dec. 15 had
not returned as of Saturday, and a search operation to locate him
was ongoing.

Marc Affartel, 23, began his attack on Kerinci mountain, 3,805
meters high, on Dec. 15 and had not returned to the inn where he
was staying in Sungai Penuh, Antara reported.

Dwi Susanto, a staffer at Kerinci Seblat National Park, said
he was hopeful that the climber would be found this week. A
flashlight belonging to Affartel was found on the mountain at a
height of 2,700 meters. Dwi said that at this height the
condition of a climber was no longer stable and the terrain was
treacherous.

Affartel was climbing alone. Dwi said that local authorities
had just issued a ban on climbing Kerinci because minor activity
had been detected in the volcano. He said it was possible that
Affartel, who was reported missing by the inn keeper, was not
injured, but had merely continued his journey elsewhere without
notifying anybody. (01)