The backcountry skier who died on New Hampshire’s Mount Washington this weekend was a University of Vermont student, the school said Monday.
The skier was identified Sunday as Madison Saltsburg, 20, and a representative for the University of Vermont confirmed she was a junior from Pennsylvania, noting the community was "deeply saddened to learn" she had died.
Saltsburg was described Monday by a university official as "a star" in the school's Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps chapter, "known for her athleticism and dedicated mentorship to her fellow cadets," and passionate about getting outdoors.
"Her passing is profoundly felt, and our hearts are with Madie’s friends and family, especially her beloved parents and ROTC community," Vice Provost for Student Affairs Erica Caloiero said in a statement on the agroecology and landscape design major.
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She noted that resources were available for anyone struggling emotionally after hearing the news.
The University of Vermont ROTC said in a Facebook post last year that Saltsburg enjoyed hiking, climbing and camping. The post included images of her camping with another cadet, rock climbing and skiing.
Saltsburg fell about 600 vertical feet (183 meters) on Saturday afternoon in very steep terrain and hard, icy conditions, the U.S. Forest Service said Sunday. Others were also injured Saturday including two people who sustained traumatic injuries from rocks and ice, though they're expected to survive, the service said in a statement.
The three skiers had been in Tuckerman Ravine, an area popular with backcountry skiers. A rescue effort extended through a stormy night and into Sunday morning.
Mount Washington is the tallest in the Northeast and is notorious for its fickle weather. It is the sight of frequent rescues.
The night before the three people got into trouble, New Hampshire Fish and Game reported that a 23-year-old hiker from Kentucky had been rescued after going off trail and into the Ammonoosuc Ravine.
The hiker "fell and hit his head and face, lost one of his sneakers, and eventually became hypothermic," the agency said in a statement.
"He was given boots, food, warm drink, proper winter gear, and a headlamp. He was then escorted back to the trail and then to the Cog Railway parking lot," the agency said.
Another hiker who was rescued from the Ammonoosuc Ravine in February described his 11-hour ordeal to The Associated Press, acknowledging he had made some poor decisions and was underprepared for his hike.
