Overview

• The victims of Monday's avalanche in Oregon's Cascade Mountains have been identified as Terance Olaf Skjersaa, 57, and Susan Renee Skjersaa, 52, both residents of Bend, Oregon.
• The avalanche occurred at 6,700 feet on a south-facing slope in the Happy Valley area between the Bend Watershed and Broken Top Mountain.
• Friends of the couple initiated a search on Monday night after the pair failed to return as planned, locating their bodies buried in snow just before midnight.
• Authorities believe the avalanche, classified as a D2, may have been triggered by the skiers themselves, though the exact cause remains undetermined.
• Officials have issued warnings about moderate to considerable avalanche risk in the Central Cascades, urging caution for outdoor activities in the region.