In Girdwood, Alaska, authorities plan to reach an avalanche site where three skiers are trapped under snow. The victims are presumed dead after being buried in the avalanche. Efforts on Wednesday were halted due to adverse weather, but officials aim to assess conditions aerially on Thursday to explore safe recovery strategies.
The avalanche struck on Tuesday afternoon as skiers were taken by helicopter to a backcountry summit in the Chugach Mountains, resulting in the skiers being engulfed by over 30 feet of snow. The avalanche was triggered at an elevation of approximately 3,500 feet, descending to about 700 feet. The operation, managed by Chugach Powder Guides, emphasizes heli-skiing, where participants use helicopters to access remote skiing locations.
During the incident, the skiers engaged their avalanche air bags, intended to increase chances of remaining near the surface. However, the snow accumulation reached up to 100 feet deep. The initial rescue attempts were constrained by limited resources on the scene, despite emergency beacon signals from the victims.
The individuals affected include Dave Linder from Florida, Charles Eppard of Montana, and Jeremy Leif from Minnesota. Dave Linder, integral to Subarctic Media as an owner, was known for his skiing passion and was vacationing in Alaska with his friends. His business partner, Matt Ketelsen, expressed sorrow at the loss of Linder, a beloved colleague devoted to his family and community. Charles Eppard, or โCharlie,โ had deep personal ties to skiing, a passion shared with his brother Jon. Charlie, resident of Montana, shared close-knit personal bonds with his family, living life to the fullest.
The causes of the avalanche remain under examination. A weak snow layer earlier reported poses risks in the region, and recent weather exacerbates potential avalanche incidents. Forecasts indicated considerable danger at high elevations, and caution remains paramount amid heavy snow and winds.
The avalanche transpired near Girdwood, a hub within Alaskaโs skiing landscape famed for its winter sports attractions at resorts like Alyeska. Girdwood is also known for its broader offering of tourism adventures ranging from skiing to snowmobiling and helicopter excursions, catering to a variety of winter sports enthusiasts.