Deadly avalanches strike Wyoming, Washington state
JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. -- An avalanche south of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has killed two skiers.
The Jackson Hole News and Guide reports that three skiers just outside the resort's south boundary were caught in the avalanche Sunday. One survived.
Resort spokeswoman Anna Cole says they are not releasing the names of the skiers, but that they were visitors from out of town.
The skiers were in a popular out-of-bounds area, where signs warn people to be prepared for increased danger as they leave the resort. Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center forecaster Mike Rheam says the group did not have any avalanche gear or equipment.
Meanwhile, an avalanche near Washington state's Mount Baker ski area has killed one person and injured a second.
The Seattle Times reports authorities don't know if they were on skis, snowshoes or snowboards in backcountry area on Mount Herman on Sunday.
Scott Schell of the Northwest Avalanche Center says the victim's body hasn't been recovered. Search-and-rescue crews plan to return to the area Monday.
Two observers at the Northwest Avalanche Center in Seattle are headed to Mount Herman to gauge how big the avalanche was, CBS affiliate KIRO-TV reports.
The area isn't accessible from a ski lift so officials believe the victims walked their way uphill. It's unknown if they were carrying transponders, which can signal a person's location in an avalanche. Schell says someone in the party called 911.
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