Troopers have identified a pair of back country skiers caught up in a Hatcher Pass avalanche Saturday afternoon that killed one and injured the other.
Rescuers recovered the body of James E. Helling, 65, of Palmer, this morning, troopers said. He initially was missing and rescuers were unable to locate him Saturday.
He was skiing with Jerry Kallam, 54, of Palmer, who was injured in the avalanche, troopers said.
The men were skiing on Bald Mountain in Hatcher Pass State Park. Troopers were alerted to the avalanche around 5:15 p.m. and were told a person was missing.
Troopers, a state parks ranger, Mat-Su Borough Fire Search and Rescue and the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group all tried to help the pair on Saturday. Troopers launched Helo 1, but the helicopter couldn't land on the steep terrain. The Alaska Air National Guard's 210th Rescue Squadron flew there with a HH-60, which has hoist capabilities, and lifted Kallam off the mountain, troopers said. He was taken to Mat-Su Regional Hospital and was home by this afternoon.
This morning, another big group went out and was able to recover Helling's body. The effort included troopers, rangers, Alaska Search and Rescue dogs, Nordic skiers and the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group, troopers said.
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