Tourist and Guide Found Dead on Vinciguerra Glacier After Disappearance

Two individuals, a tourist and her mountain guide, were discovered deceased on 2 June in the upper area of the Vinciguerra Glacier near Ushuaia, Argentina, following their disappearance during a glacier trek.

The victims were identified as Abril Melina Marino Pereira, a waitress from Maldonado, Uruguay, and Emiliano Feidas, an experienced local mountaineer. They vanished while hiking on the Vinciguerra Glacier, which is known for its challenging terrain.

The search operation was initiated after the pair did not return as expected on Monday evening, 1 June. Concern arose when Emiliano’s mother reported their absence, prompting the Ushuaia Rescue Commission to commence a search despite adverse weather and poor visibility.

Authorities found their bodies in a steep, technical section of the glacier, an area where conditions can deteriorate rapidly. Investigations are ongoing, but officials suspect a fall may have occurred during the trek.

Abril had been exploring Argentina’s southernmost region, having previously climbed Martial Pyramid mountain during her visit. She traveled to Ushuaia seeking adventure after first visiting Buenos Aires.

Emiliano Feidas was a prominent figure in the local outdoor community with around ten years of experience as a snow sports and mountain activities instructor. He operated 54 Trek Expeditions, an adventure tourism company offering guided hikes, climbs, and splitboard expeditions.

Aside from his mountaineering career, Emiliano was a drummer in the local rock band Boyska. In one of his last social media posts, he shared drone footage of the surrounding landscape, commenting, “What we call our backyard seems to be getting ready for us to play.”

Abril’s close friend, Florencia Acosta, spoke to local media, stating, “She achieved what she always wanted, which was to climb that mountain.” Abril was employed at the Blend restaurant in the Enjoy Punta del Este hotel in Uruguay.

The Vinciguerra Glacier trek typically requires about eight hours to complete and includes steep drops, icy surfaces, and technically demanding sections that necessitate specialist equipment.

Officials have not released additional information as recovery efforts and investigations continue. The Vinciguerra Glacier remains a popular but challenging destination for hikers and climbers around Ushuaia.