Two people died in an avalanche in central Washington state.
At about 4:00 p.m. local time on Friday, Jan. 9, four men snowmobiling in the backcountry were caught in an avalanche near Longs Pass in the mountains of northern Kittitas County, according to the Kittitas County Sheriff in a Facebook post.
The sheriff’s office identified the two men who died as Paul Markoff, 38, of North Bend, and Erik Henne, 43, of Snoqualmie Pass. Two others, Ian Laing and Patrick Leslie, survived after making a distress call using a Garmin satellite device.
“Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Kittitas County Search & Rescue (KCSR) volunteers responded,” the sheriff’s office said. Responders traveled into the remote area using snowmobiles and winter backcountry equipment, then transported the two survivors out that evening.
Authorities said hazardous conditions prevented a nighttime recovery operation for the two men who died.
Recovery efforts resumed Saturday morning with three trained avalanche search K9s.
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“Because of the rugged, remote terrain, air support was requested,” the sheriff’s office said. “King County’s Guardian 2 helicopter assisted by airlifting the two deceased men to a search base, where they were placed in the care of the Kittitas County Coroner’s Office.”
Officials also recovered the men’s personal items, including two snowmobiles. Representatives from the Northwest Avalanche Center assisted at the scene.
“The Sheriff’s Office and KCSR extend condolences to the families and friends of those lost,” the sheriff’s office said.
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On Saturday, the Northwest Avalanche Center posted a statement on Facebook about the incident.
“We are saddened to report that four backcountry tourers were caught and carried in an avalanche near Longs Pass in the upper Teanaway River drainage of the East Central zone,” the agency wrote. “One tourer was not buried, one was partially buried and injured, one was fully buried and killed, and one was fully buried and is presumed dead.”
The Northwest Avalanche Center added, “Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and community of those involved in this accident.”
The Kittitas County Sheriff did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.
