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Bend, Oregon — Tragically, two backcountry skiers lost their lives due to an avalanche in Oregon’s Cascade Mountains, as confirmed by authorities on Tuesday.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office reported that search-and-rescue teams located the bodies of the victims in Happy Valley, situated west of Bend and close to Broken Top Peak.
The couple was skiing when the avalanche struck on Monday at an elevation of 6,700 feet, affecting a south-facing slope, according to a social media update from the Central Oregon Avalanche Center, which highlighted the perilous conditions in the area. Their post detailed the unfortunate events as they unfolded.
“We extend our deepest condolences to all who loved the couple who tragically lost their lives while doing what they loved,” the Avalanche Center stated. “As longtime residents of Central Oregon, they have touched many lives, and their legacy will continue to live on in our community.”
In a subsequent report, it was noted that, “It is likely that the riders triggered the avalanche themselves,” underscoring the risks inherent in backcountry skiing.
The identities of the deceased have not yet been disclosed to the public.
Earlier on Tuesday, the sheriff’s office responded to alerts about individuals who might have been trapped under the snow following the avalanche’s destructive path.
According to the Avalanche Center’s forecast, the risk of avalanches in the Central Cascades is currently rated as “considerable,” which is a level 3 on a scale from 0 to 5. This highlights the growing concerns for those engaging in winter sports in that region.
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