Astoria, Ore. — Search and rescue teams have recovered the bodies of two individuals who tragically lost their lives in an avalanche while recreating in Oregon’s Central Cascade Mountains. The accident occurred on Monday, February 17, near a snowmobile trail in the Happy Valley area, located west of Bend and northeast of Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the incident, which involved two backcountry skiers who were caught in a “D2, Storm Slab avalanche” at an elevation of 6,700 feet on a south-facing slope. The avalanche, which ranged in height of nearly 1.5 feet, ran 320 vertical feet into a dense stand of trees.
Authorities say the avalanche’s cause remains unclear, though it is believed that the skiers may have unintentionally triggered the slide. The victims’ identities have not been released pending notification of their families.
In a statement, Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp expressed his condolences, saying, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of the couple who lost their lives in the avalanche while enjoying the Central Oregon backcountry. Their long history in our community and the lives they touched are a testament to the spirit and resilience that make Central Oregon such a special place to live.”
The sheriff added, “On behalf of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and our entire community, I extend my heartfelt condolences to their family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
While the names of the victims have not yet been disclosed, the Central Oregon Avalanche Center confirmed that the couple were longtime residents of the area. Lauren Altemari, the development director for the center, noted, “We extend our deepest condolences to all who loved the couple who tragically lost their lives while doing what they loved. As longtime residents of Central Oregon, they have touched many lives, and their legacy will continue to live on in our community.”
The avalanche risk in the region was reported as “considerable,” a level three out of five on the Central Oregon Avalanche Center’s scale. This serves as a reminder to backcountry enthusiasts of the dangers posed by snow conditions in the Central Cascades. The center has been providing daily avalanche forecasts for the area and encourages outdoor adventurers to stay informed through its resources, including the Avy app.
The tragedy underscores the unpredictability of avalanches and the importance of taking precautions, even for experienced backcountry travelers.
