Two climbers die in avalanche

Two climbers were killed in an avalanche in the Ruth Gorge of Denali National Park and Preserve on Saturday afternoon. The climbers were identified as Andrew Herzenberg, age 39, and Avner Magen age 42 both of Toronto. They were descending a steep snow and ice gully wedged between Werewolf Tower and London Tower on the southeast side of the Gorge when the avalanche occurred. Another climbing party in the Ruth Gorge witnessed the avalanche and knowing that a team had been climbing there, they skied to the area to search for them. They found what appeared to be two bodies and gear and called the park rangers. The Talkeetna-based NPS helicopter and two rangers flew to the Ruth Gorge and picked up one of the witnesses who directed them to the avalanche site. The rangers confirmed that the two men had died in the fall.  Their bodies were recovered on Sunday morning.