An 86-year-old Austrian climber has been reunited with his backpack and equipment, which he left in a glacial crevasse after an accident more than 60 years ago, as reported by Podrobno.uz.

The incident occurred in August 1963, when the climber fell into a deep crevasse while crossing the Sulztalferner glacier in Tyrol. His companions, roped together, managed to pull him out, but to lighten his load, he had to drop his backpack into the fissure.

Over the decades, the glacier has significantly retreated and melted, revealing objects that had been trapped in the ice for years. In July, a tourist discovered the backpack and handed it over to the police.

Police examined the preserved documents and other items, which allowed them to identify the owner. The find was eventually returned to the 86-year-old man. The backpack contained an ice axe, a camera, and other personal belongings.

Such discoveries in the Alps are becoming more frequent due to accelerated glacier melting linked to climate change. The ice is releasing items that have been hidden for decades or even millennia. Previously, military relics, climbing gear, and human remains have been found in various mountain regions.

Earlier reports indicated that the North Sea off the coast of the Netherlands warmed to a record 21.5 degrees Celsius, the highest since records began in 1984. The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute attributed the anomaly to global climate change and persistent sunny weather.

Source: podrobno.uz