Search for Japanese climbers caught in Alaskan avalanche called off Five climbers on an expedition to scale the mountain were caught up in the avalanche on Thursday, an official at Miyagi Workers Alpine Federation, the organiser of the tour, told AFP in Tokyo. One, Hitoshi Ogi, 69, of Miyagi prefecture, escaped from a crevasse and made it back to base camp. Mr Fister said that given the time elapsed, there was a presumption that the four were dead. Yes, given the length of time. It's a difficult situation," she said noting that there was a "very real threat" to searchers getting in the crevasse. "Falling into a crevasse, people don't last very long," she added. Rescuers had searched with helicopters and on foot since Friday. They were Yoshiaki Kato, age 64; Masako Suda, age 50; Michiko Suzuki, age 56; and Tamao Suzuki, age 63, all from Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, the spokeswoman said.