“As I write this, I know from speaking with the Park Service and rescue personnel yesterday that Jess, David and Hansjorg are presumed dead. It is with a heavy heart I have to say this, but they were hit by a massive avalanche off Mt. Howse sometime on Tuesday and there was visible evidence they perished. Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts.” –John Roskelley father of Jess Roskelley

Heartbreaking news out of Canada as three of the world’s best alpinists are missing and presumed dead in the Canadian Rockies. The Spokesman Review reports David Lama, Hansjörg Auer, and Jess Roskelley had spent the past two weeks attempting to climb a difficult route on Howse Peak in Banff National Park. Roskelley told his father that he would check in Tuesday night and he never called.

John Roskelley, who is an accomplished alpinists himself, called Parks Canada Wednesday morning. Canadian authorities dispatched a helicopter to search the area and saw avalanche debris, climbing gear and one partially buried body. Parks Canada issued a news release saying the three climbers were presumed dead after officials saw “signs of multiple avalanches and debris containing climbing equipment.”

Our heart goes out to the climbers families and friends during this difficult time.

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images from jessroskelley IG, davidlama_official IG, HansjoergAuer.official FB