Overview
- Authorities identified the victims as Paul Markoff, 38, of North Bend, and Erik Henne, 43, of Snoqualmie Pass.
- The avalanche struck a four-person snowmobiling party near Longs Pass in northern Kittitas County at about 4 p.m. on Jan. 9.
- Survivors Ian Laing and Patrick Leslie sent a distress signal via a satellite device, and rescuers reached them that evening using snowmobiles and winter backcountry equipment.
- Hazardous conditions halted nighttime recovery; teams returned Saturday with air support to locate the two deceased, who were transferred to the Kittitas County Coroner’s Office.
- Investigators have not determined the avalanche’s cause, and forecasters report heavy mountain snowfall this week with more expected, increasing regional avalanche danger.