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4 Backcountry Skiers Found Near Aspen

ASPEN, Colo. (CBS4/AP) -- Four skiers who went on a trip to a backcountry hut near Aspen have been found.

They set out on a back country trip to Goodwin Green ski hut, but never returned. They were found just before noon Wednesday, miles away at a shelter near Triangle Pass on the Gunnison-Pitkin County line.

Rescuers launched a search for the skiers Tuesday evening.

The men had planned to return from the backcountry on Monday. But authorities thought they may have remained in the hut on Monday because of a snowstorm and skied out on Tuesday instead.

"The winds were howling out of the west which loads the eastern aspects of the mountains at or above tree line, so the avalanche danger is considerable. Our rescuers had a pretty complex time over the past 24 hours finding these guys. We're lucky and they're lucky that we had a happy ending," said Pitkin County Sheriff Deputy Alex Bruchetta.

They left a note on their vehicle asking them to call when they returned. When they failed to, the search was launched.

(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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