A tragic avalanche near the West Fork of 20 Mile River close to Girdwood trapped multiple skiers on Tuesday around 3:30 p.m. The incident has left at least three skiers buried beneath a massive snowpack, with recovery efforts ongoing. Authorities identified the missing individuals as David Linder, Charles Eppard, and Jeremy Leif.
The avalanche, with a depth ranging from 40 to nearly 100 feet, proved too deep for guides to recover the skiers immediately. Despite using avalanche beacons to pinpoint the likely burial area, adverse weather conditions on Wednesday thwarted helicopter flights and ground assessments. This hampered immediate recovery operations, compelling crews to plan for an aerial assessment on Thursday.
"Troopers are optimistic that weather conditions will improve on (Thursday) March 6th to allow for flights in the area," – Alaska State Troopers
The three missing skiers have been identified: David Linder, 39, from Florida; Charles Eppard, 39, from Montana; and Jeremy Leif, 38, from Minnesota. Each was caught in the sudden and perilous slide that has now captured national attention.
Thursday's recovery efforts include plans for an aerial survey to evaluate additional avalanche risks and explore viable recovery strategies. Crews aim to capitalize on any improvement in weather conditions to facilitate these operations.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers of skiing in avalanche-prone areas. While the trapped skiers were equipped with beacons—a standard safety measure—nature's unpredictable force has underscored the limitations of even the best-prepared adventurers.
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