2 Antarctic Hikers Take a Shortcut, Die in a Crevasse
- Share via
WASHINGTON — Two Americans hiking in Antarctica were killed Sunday when they fell 70 feet into a crevasse two miles north of America’s main base at McMurdo Station, the National Science Foundation reported today.
Killed were Matthew M. Kaz, 25, of San Carlos, Calif., a carpenter’s helper, and John E. Smith, 44, of Portland, Ore., a carpenter.
The foundation, the government agency that manages the nation’s Antarctic research, said Kaz and Smith were returning with Thomas J. Powell, 45, of Krakow, Wis., from Castle Rock, a huge rock outcrop about three miles from McMurdo.
The foundation said the men had deviated from the flagged route to take a shortcut to nearby Scott Base, a New Zealand station. Powell sought help at McMurdo when his companions fell into the crevasse.
A search and rescue team brought the two men unconscious to the surface. They were pronounced dead at McMurdo
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
