“The skiers carried beacons that enabled a successful identifiable location,” said SJCOEM.
The victims were discovered in more than 20 feet of avalanche debris on Wednesday and their bodies will have to be removed at a later date due to inclement weather, it said. Due to the terrain, pick up by helicopter is required.
The three were identified in a joint statement from Eagle County and the city of Eagle, Colorado earlier Wednesday.
“The families of Seth Bossung, Andy Jessen and Adam Palmer allow us to share their names so that we can all openly acknowledge their deaths and mourn together,” the statement said.
All three men served as city or district officials, according to their official websites, with Jessen serving as mayor of the city of Eagle. Palmer, a city councilor. is also listed as Director of Eagle County Sustainable Communities. Bossung served as the province’s energy efficiency project manager.
The avalanche occurred in the San Juan Mountains between Silverton and Ophir in southwestern Colorado.
The search for the three others was suspended on Tuesday evening due to the threat of another avalanche, CAIC said. The site of Monday’s avalanche is at an elevation of about 11,500 feet in an area known locally as “The Nose.”
“Our hearts are heavy with the loss of these three men,” said the joint statement from Eagle County and Town of Eagle. “Their contributions through their work in local government and local businesses, as well as their personal passions and their impact on the friends and family members they leave behind, have helped shape the community in a way that will last forever. has taught us in both organizations from their examples, and we are grateful to call them colleagues. ”