Nathaniel Johnson (right) and Andrew Abel were tragically killed in an avalanche in Jasper National Park on May 30, 2021. (Facebook)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

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Pair killed by avalanche identified as central Albertans

Jun 2, 2021 | 5:30 PM

Two central Albertans have been identified as the victims in a deadly avalanche that happened the morning of May 30 in Jasper National Park.

Nathaniel Johnson of Red Deer and Cochrane, and Andrew Abel of Innisfail, who were just 28 and 30, died while climbing Mt. Andromeda, which is located within the Columbia Icefield, about 90 minutes south of Jasper.

Their partners confirmed the deaths in separate heartfelt public posts on social media this week, emphasizing how much mountaineering meant to the pair.

“The mountains have held a special place in Andrew’s heart throughout his entire life and that passion was evident from the moment we met. Over the past six years, he spent every free moment climbing and sharing that passion for wild spaces with those around him,” wrote Brinnae Erb-Abel. “While my heart is broken at the loss of my best friend, partner, and husband, I am taking solace in the knowledge that Andrew was pursuing what he loved and doing so with someone he loved so there is nothing more I could have asked for.”

Hannah Christiane, Johnson’s fiancée, shared that he would often say, “I’m here for a good time, not a long time.”

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“He loved the mountains and all the adventures they held. It feels so right that he was doing a mountaineering project with his closest and most trusted friend,” she wrote. “I’m so lucky and blessed that I got to have Nate in my life for 8 years, he was my best friend and absolutely perfect for me. My heart is buried under the snow.”

Erb-Abel and Christiane also thanked people for the outpouring of support as well as for the aid of Jasper Search and Rescue who supported recovery efforts.

Among many other things, Abel was a budding life coach, and Johnson coached fencing.

A GoFundMe, which has already raised over $30,000, has been set up in their honour.

In a release Thursday, June 8, RCMP stated, “The Jasper RCMP would like to thank Parks Canada Visitor Safety personnel from Banff and Jasper, the Parks Canada Search and Rescue canine team, STARS, Emergency Medical Services ground ambulances, and two private helicopter companies who assisted in rescue efforts on May 30, 2021. Jasper RCMP would also like to thank the members of the public who assisted.”