The mountaineer Stefano Prestinari, 42 years old from Como (resident in Prestino) died while climbing Mount Galenstock, located in Switzerland, between the canton of Uri and the canton of Valais. In an attempt to ascend the 3,586-metre-high peak, perhaps due to the impervious conditions of both the mountain and the weather, the man slipped and fell 200 metres.
Prestinari Stefano had always lived in Prestino. He had a veterinary degree and worked as a pharmaceutical sales rep. The mountain was his passion, in fact he was also enrolled in the Cai. The Swiss authorities are currently concluding the investigations to establish exactly what happened on Mount Galenstock where Stefano had gone with two friends. However, the two friends had not followed him in his attempt to climb to the top, precisely because of the less than ideal weather conditions. On that side, where the group of mountaineers was attempting the climb, in fact, a strong wind had begun to blow and visibility was reduced also due to the presence of fog. Prestinari's two companions thus decided to postpone the enterprise and turned back, heading for Matigny. Stefano, on the other hand, wanted to give it a try and decided not to give up the challenge. Unfortunately, tragedy struck. Rescuers found him already dead.
Stefano mourns his parents, Leandro and Armida, also from Prestino, and his brother Davide (from Como) who spent the day in Switzerland to get news from the cantonal authorities on what had really happened. After the conclusion of the investigations and the authorization of the Swiss authorities, the date of the funeral will be established for the last farewell to Stefano Prestinari.
June 28, 2011 –
Editor's note: our deepest condolences go out to the family of Colleague Stefano
