2 bodies recovered from B.C. avalanche
CBC News
Posted: Feb 27, 2011 10:35 AM PT
Last Updated: Feb 28, 2011 9:31 PM PT
The bodies of two experienced backcountry skiers were recovered Monday from a remote northern B.C. mountain after an avalanche crashed down on them over the weekend.
The avalanche struck at about 4:30 p.m. PT Saturday in what has been described as "very challenging" terrain on Tom George Mountain, part of the Howson Mountain Range, southwest of Smithers, B.C.
Officials said four skiers were caught in the avalanche, and three were buried. The fourth skier managed to dig out one person, who survived the avalanche, but was unable to reach the other two.
Search and rescue crews found the body of one victim on Sunday.
The B.C. Coroners Service is now investigating the deaths of the 64-year-old Canmore, Alta., man and a 52-year-old woman from Regina, whose names are not being released.
John Kelly of the Canadian Avalanche Centre said the avalanche happened in the coastal mountain range.
"It's rugged mountain terrain with a glaciated aspect," he said. "[It] often receives abundant snowfall during the year and of course that does lead to the possibility of avalanches from time to time."
The avalanche danger at the time of the avalanche was moderate in both the alpine and tree-line areas, Kelly said.
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