A group of four men enjoying a day of snowmobiling in Washington state's remote backcountry were struck by tragedy on Friday when a massive avalanche swept them away, resulting in two fatalities.
The Avalanche Strikes Near Longs Pass
The incident occurred at approximately 4pm local time near the Longs Pass trail in northern Kittitas County. The four men had travelled 12 miles on snowmobiles along snow-covered roads to reach the secluded area for backcountry recreation.
According to a statement from the Northwest Avalanche Center, the avalanche's impact was immediate and devastating. One member of the party was not buried, one was partially buried and injured, one was fully buried and killed, and one was fully buried and is presumed dead.
Desperate SOS and Rescue Operation
The two survivors, identified by the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office as Ian Laing and Patrick Leslie, managed to activate a Garmin satellite device to send a distress call to emergency services. These portable GPS units feature an SOS function designed for emergencies where mobile phone service is unavailable.
Responders raced to the scene on snowmobiles on Friday evening and successfully rescued the two survivors. However, attempts to recover the bodies of the deceased were halted due to dangerous snow conditions, forcing a postponement until Saturday morning.
Recovery Efforts and Avalanche Risk
On Saturday, rescue teams returned with helicopter support and three trained avalanche search K9s. The helicopter airlifted the two deceased men, later identified as 38-year-old Paul Markoff and 43-year-old Erik Henne, while a ground team recovered personal items scattered in the snow. The coroner’s office will determine the official cause of death.
The cause of the avalanche remains unknown, but the region had experienced significant snowfall throughout the week. The National Weather Service in Seattle reported substantial accumulations at multiple locations since January 5, including:
- 35 inches at Paradise
- 34 inches at Mt Baker
- 27 inches at Snoqualmie Pass
Dallas Glass, deputy director of the Northwest Avalanche Center, noted that Washington typically sees one to two avalanche-related deaths annually. He highlighted the inherent risks of the state's beautiful snowy landscapes, which provide excellent skiing and snowmobiling but also carry the danger of avalanches.
This tragic event underscores the critical importance of carrying emergency communication devices like Garmin satellite messengers when venturing into remote, high-risk terrain.
