Two Snowmobilers Killed in an Avalanche Near Popular Washington Hiking Area

Officials in Washington state confirmed Saturday that two men were killed after an avalanche swept through a group of four snowmobilers in a remote backcountry area near Longs Pass, while two others survived and were rescued, as reported by Fox News.

The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office said the avalanche occurred Friday afternoon in northern Kittitas County near Longs Pass, a popular hiking and recreation area within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

“On Friday, January 9, at about 4:00 p.m., four men recreating in the backcountry snow near Longs Pass in the mountains of northern Kittitas County were caught in an avalanche,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

Two snowmobilers killed, two rescued after avalanche in remote Washington https://t.co/rJ3MeKodEc pic.twitter.com/spUHPjodoC

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Authorities identified the deceased as 38-year-old Paul Markoff of North Bend and 43-year-old Erik Henne of Snoqualmie Pass.

Kittitas County officials told Fox News Digital on Sunday that one of the men was partially buried by the avalanche, prompting his surviving companions to attempt to dig him out.

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The other victim was later located by a K9 unit about four feet beneath the snow, according to the sheriff’s office.

Two survivors, identified as Ian Laing and Patrick Leslie, were able to call for help using a Garmin satellite communication device after the avalanche struck.

Deputies and search-and-rescue teams responded to the distress call and began mobilizing resources to reach the scene.

The Northwest Avalanche Center assisted in assessing the incident. The organization said one of the survivors was injured after being partially buried by the avalanche.

The sheriff’s office confirmed to Fox News Digital that the man sustained a knee injury, which officials described as non-debilitating. The other survivor was not buried, according to the Northwest Avalanche Center.

Due to the remote location and winter conditions, rescue crews reached the area using snowmobiles and specialized avalanche-response equipment. Officials said the two survivors were transported from the scene on Friday evening.

After the survivors were removed, authorities determined that conditions had become too dangerous to recover the bodies overnight.

Crews suspended operations until the following morning because of avalanche risk, limited visibility, and terrain challenges.

On Saturday morning, personnel returned to the site with air support and three K9 units trained specifically for avalanche search operations. Officials said the teams navigated the mountainous terrain to locate and recover both victims.

Both men were airlifted to a search base and transferred into the custody of the Kittitas County Coroner’s Office, according to authorities.

The sheriff’s office said the victims’ personal belongings, including their two snowmobiles, were also recovered during the operation.

In a statement, officials acknowledged the loss of life and the efforts of multiple agencies involved in the response.

“The Sheriff’s Office and KCSR (Kittitas County Search & Rescue) extend condolences to the families and friends of those lost,” the statement said.

The incident remains under review as officials continue to document conditions surrounding the avalanche and the rescue response.

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