North Face climbers confirmed dead after Banff National Park avalanche

David Lama, Jess Roskelley, and Hansjörg Auer were caught in an avalanche Wednesday while attempting to climb the east face of Howse Peak in Alberta, a North Face spokesman said.

The three men, one American and two Europeans, were members of the company's Global Athlete Team.

David Lama, pioneering Austrian climber, is among three caught in an avalanche in Canada

After the climbers were reported missing, park officials searched for them via air and "observed signs of multiple avalanches and debris containing climbing equipment," Parks Canada said.

The east face of Howse Peak is remote and an exceptionally difficult climb, with mixed rock and ice routes requiring advanced alpine mountaineering skills, officials said.

Chelsey Dawes, a spokeswoman with Parks Canada, said it looked as though a size 3 avalanche had hit the climbers.

"Parks Canada extends our sincere condolences to their families, friends and loved ones," Parks Canada said. "We would also like to acknowledge the impact that this has had on the tight-knit, local and international climbing communities."

CNN's Rebekah Riess and Nicole Chavez contributed to this report.

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