Very sad and tragic story, but the irony that one of the survivors later gives birth to a man who grows up to be a pararescue man is certainly awesome!
It is a real and sometimes too frequent Alaska story of struggle, hardship and heart break but leads to the future of survival. Alaskans are strong people who can and do survive against the odds sometimes. 
So glad I found and bought the book Never Quit, which I found yesterday before I read this article. My husband stole it from me as he started reading it and couldn't put it down.  I am anxious for my turn to read it !