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cbsnews.com
Three Backcountry Skiers Killed in Separate Avalanches
Two backcountry skiers died in an Oregon avalanche on Monday, while another died in a separate California avalanche, highlighting the considerable avalanche danger in the region.
- What were the immediate consequences of the avalanches in Oregon and California?
- Two backcountry skiers died in an avalanche near Broken Top Peak in Oregon's Cascade Mountains on Monday. Another backcountry skier was found dead in an avalanche field near South Kale Tahoe in California on Monday. Both incidents involved skiers triggering the avalanches themselves.
- What factors contributed to the high avalanche danger in the Central Cascades and the Tahoe area?
- The Oregon avalanche occurred at 6,700 feet on a south-facing slope, while the California avalanche was near Powderhouse Peak. Both locations had a considerable avalanche danger rating (3 out of 5). The Oregon victims were longtime residents of Central Oregon.
- What measures could be taken to improve backcountry skier safety and reduce the risk of future avalanche fatalities?
- These incidents highlight the significant risks associated with backcountry skiing, especially during periods of high avalanche danger. The fact that the skiers likely triggered the avalanches underscores the importance of proper training, risk assessment, and awareness of avalanche conditions. Further investigations will likely focus on determining the specific factors that contributed to each incident.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing is relatively neutral, presenting factual information about the incidents and rescue operations. The emotional tone in the quote from the Central Oregon Avalanche Center could be considered slightly biased, showing sympathy towards the victims. The sequencing emphasizes the Oregon incident first and uses a separate section for the California incident, which is a choice.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral and factual, using terms like "recovered bodies" and "missing skier." The description of the avalanche danger as "considerable" is a more technical term than a emotionally charged term, and avoids sensationalism. The use of quote from the Avalanche Center is emotional but not necessarily biased.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses primarily on the avalanche incidents and the recovery efforts, without delving into potential preventative measures or broader discussion of backcountry safety practices. While acknowledging space constraints is reasonable, omitting this context could limit reader understanding of how to mitigate similar risks.
Gender Bias
The article doesn't explicitly mention the genders of the victims, avoiding potential gender bias. However, using "couple" implies a heterosexual relationship, which may not be accurate and could be omitted.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article focuses on avalanche deaths in mountainous areas; it does not relate to Life Below Water.