very sad news.
Troopers were notified around 6 pm on Tuesday 2/14/2006 of an avalanche
along the trail that is believed to have trapped Richard Strick, Jr, age
46 of McGrath. Strick was reportedly part of a snowmachine team that
had just finished manning the Iron Dog Race checkpoint in Rohn. They
were reportedly headed back behind the snowmobile racers, breaking trail
for the upcoming Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race when the avalanche
occurred. Alaska Air National Guard responded last night with members
of the 210th, 211th, and 212th rescue squadrons in a HC130 aircraft and
HH60 Pavehawk helicopter, along with members of Alaska Mountain Rescue
Group and the Alaska Search and Rescue Dogs. The team was able to
complete some aerial recon but were not able to land. According to
information from the fly-over, an avalanche approximately 250' wide,
100' long and 4'-5' deep swept down the face of the mountain and is
believed to have pushed Mr. Strick off the trail into the gorge where he
was buried under approximately 30' of snow