Banff, Alta. — Three ice climbers have been killed after being caught in an avalanche Thursday in Banff National Park.
Their names and home towns were not released pending notification of next of kin, Parks Canada said Friday. Early reports indicated, however, that the victims were all Americans.
The first two were found Thursday night. Rescue crews found the third Friday morning on Mount Wilson, near the resort area of Lake Louise.
The hunt had to be conducted with search dogs as the victims did not carry avalanche beacons.
The climbers were in one of two parties climbing in the area.
The search began abound 9:30 p.m. Thursday when climbers in the second party reported their friends overdue at a meeting point.
Parks Canada has reported a considerable risk of avalanches in the area in the past two days given the prolonged sun exposure on the south aspects of the mountain.
Mount Wilson rises 3,260 metres, overlooking the Bow Pass. It has high cliffs that stretch and wind for 11 kilometres.
