Eric Walter Identified As Denali National Park Employee Killed In Avalanche

Eric Walter Identified As Denali National Park Employee Killed In Avalanche

In Alaska’s Denali National Park and Preserve, an avalanche occurred during a backcountry ski trip on Thursday, resulting in the loss of one of The National Park Service’s employees. The organization is currently grieving the loss. The employee’s name is Eric Walter.

As per the park’s statement, a witness reported that Eric Walter caused the fall while skiing alone around 1 p.m. Rangers were immediately sent to the Savage River area to search for any survivors.

According to Denali employees, they utilized both ground and air resources in their efforts to locate a debris field. However, shortly thereafter, they made the discovery of Walter’s body.

According to Brooke Merrell, superintendent of Denali National Park and Preserve, the family of Eric is being kept in thoughts during this challenging period. At 32 years old, Eric Walter has passed away.

The Talkeetna mountaineering team’s professional and sympathetic response was particularly appreciated.

As per the forest service, avalanches are most commonly observed after a snowstorm. According to reports, the snowpack is at risk of melting, wind, or new precipitation due to the recent snowfall, as it hasn’t had enough time to react.

With less than 500,000 visitors annually, Denali National Park and Preserve is a relatively low-traffic destination. In a remote location lies the tallest peak in North America. In 2016, the name of the summit formerly referred to as Mount McKinley was changed to a more indigenous title.

Park workers report that Walter was a highly regarded member of the Alaska Regional Communications Centre, known throughout the region for his exceptional support and dispatch services.

According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Centre, Walter has been reported as the first individual to have lost their life in an avalanche in Alaska in 2023.